Where to send your Will County property tax payment

Will County property taxes are collected by the Will County Treasurer's Office. You can pay in person at their office in Joliet, by mail, online through their website, or by phone. The Treasurer's Office processes payments for all unincorporated Will County properties and handles collections for most municipalities within the county, though a few towns collect their own taxes.

The physical address for in-person payments is Will County Treasurer's Office, 302 North Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432. If you pay by mail, send your check or money order to the same address. Include your property index number (PIN) or account number on the payment so the office can match it to your account. Do not send cash by mail.

Online payment through the Treasurer's website (willcountytreasurer.com) uses a third-party processor and may charge a convenience fee, typically 2.5% of the payment amount. Phone payments also incur a fee. In-person and mail payments have no additional charge.

Key Takeaways

  • Will County Treasurer's Office collects property taxes for unincorporated areas and most municipalities, and accepts payments in person, by mail, online, or by phone.
  • Include your property index number (PIN) on any payment so the office can match it to your account correctly.
  • Online and phone payments charge a convenience fee (usually around 2.5%), while mail and in-person payments do not.
  • Property tax bills in Will County are typically mailed in late spring for the first installment and late summer for the second installment.
  • If your municipality collects its own taxes, contact your village or city clerk's office instead of the county Treasurer.

Understanding Will County's two-installment payment schedule

Will County property taxes are split into two installments per year. The first installment bill is usually mailed in May or June and is due by June 30. The second installment bill arrives in August or September and is due by September 30. Both dates are firm—late payments trigger penalties and interest charges.

The first installment covers taxes for January through June of that year. The second installment covers July through December. If you own the property on January 1, you are responsible for the full year's taxes, even if you sell the property later. The seller and buyer typically settle this at closing through a property tax proration.

If you do not receive a bill, contact the Treasurer's Office directly. A missing bill does not erase the debt. The office can tell you the amount owed and the due date over the phone or through their website lookup tool.

What happens if you miss a payment important date

Payments received after the due date incur a penalty. In Will County, the penalty is typically 1.5% of the unpaid tax amount for the first month late, plus additional interest charges that accrue monthly. The exact penalty structure can vary slightly depending on the municipality, so confirm the specific rate with the Treasurer's Office if your payment will be late.

If taxes remain unpaid for a full year, the property enters the tax sale process. Will County holds tax sales annually, usually in the fall. At a tax sale, the county sells the right to collect the unpaid taxes (plus penalties and costs) to investors or other buyers. This does not when ready remove you from your home, but it creates a lien on the property and can eventually lead to foreclosure if the debt is not resolved.

If you cannot pay by the due date, contact the Treasurer's Office before the important date. Some municipalities offer payment plans or hardship deferrals, though these are not automatic and must be requested in advance. The office can explain what options may be available for your specific situation.

How to find your property tax bill if you have moved or changed addresses

The Treasurer's Office mails bills to the address on file with the county assessor's office. If you have moved and did not update your address, your bill may go to your old home. You can update your mailing address through the Will County Assessor's website or by calling the Assessor's Office directly.

You can also look up your property tax account online through the Treasurer's website. Enter your property index number (PIN) or street address to see your current balance, due dates, and payment history. This lookup tool works even if you have not received a physical bill in the mail.

If you have recently purchased the property, the bill may still be in the previous owner's name. Contact the Treasurer's Office with your deed or closing documents to confirm the account has been transferred to you. New owners are sometimes not billed until the following tax year, so verify your liability before assuming you have no payment due.

Paying taxes on a property you no longer own

If you sold your property during the year, you are responsible for taxes only through the date of sale. The buyer assumes responsibility for taxes from that point forward. At closing, the title company or attorney typically calculates a property tax proration and adjusts the sale price accordingly—the seller reimburses the buyer for taxes the buyer will owe on the property after taking ownership.

If you receive a bill after you have sold the property, contact the Treasurer's Office with your deed or closing statement showing the sale date. The office can correct the account and redirect the bill to the new owner. Do not ignore a bill addressed to you on a property you no longer own; contact the office to clarify liability.

If the property was transferred through a trust, inheritance, or other non-sale method, the tax obligation transfers with the deed. The new owner or trustee becomes responsible for future payments. The Treasurer's Office can update the account once they receive notice of the transfer.

Payment methods and processing times

In-person payments at the Treasurer's Office are processed when ready and you receive a receipt on the spot. Mail payments typically take 7 to 10 business days to post to your account after arrival, so send payment well before the due date to avoid late fees. Online payments usually post within 1 to 2 business days. Phone payments are processed the same day but incur a convenience fee.

If you pay online or by phone and the payment is rejected (for example, due to insufficient funds), you will be notified and the payment will not post. You remain responsible for the full amount plus any late penalties that accrue. Check your account balance online a few days after payment to confirm it has posted.

For payments sent by mail, keep a copy of the check or money order number and the envelope receipt if available. If a payment goes missing in the mail, you can provide this documentation to the Treasurer's Office to help trace it. The office can confirm whether the payment was received and posted.

Checking your payment history and account balance

The Will County Treasurer's website includes a property tax lookup tool where you can enter your PIN or address to see your current balance, payment history, and upcoming due dates. This tool is free and available 24 hours a day. You can print or save the results for your records.

The lookup shows all payments received, the dates they posted, and any penalties or interest charges applied. If you see an error—for example, a payment you made that does not appear—contact the Treasurer's Office with proof of payment (a cancelled check, receipt, or bank statement showing the transaction).

You can also request a detailed account statement by calling or visiting the Treasurer's Office in person. They can provide a written statement showing the full tax amount, all payments received, penalties, and the current balance owed. This is useful if you are selling the property or need documentation for a loan process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my municipality collects its own property taxes instead of the county?

A few municipalities in Will County collect their own property taxes and do not use the county Treasurer. Contact your village or city clerk's office to find out where to send payment. The clerk can provide the mailing address, online payment options, and due dates specific to your municipality.

Can I set up automatic payments for my property tax bill?

The Will County Treasurer's Office does not offer automatic recurring payments through their website. You can pay online each installment period, or you can set up a reminder to pay by mail or in person. Some banks offer bill-pay services that allow you to schedule payments to the Treasurer's Office; contact your bank to see if this option is available.

What is the property index number (PIN) and where do I find it?

The PIN is a unique identifier for your property used by the county assessor and treasurer. It appears on your property tax bill, your property deed, and on the Will County Assessor's website. If you have lost your bill, you can find your PIN by looking up your address on the Assessor's website or by calling the Assessor's Office.

Can I pay someone else's property tax bill?

Yes, you can pay another person's property tax bill if you have their PIN or account number. The payment will be credited to that account regardless of whose name appears on the check. However, paying someone's taxes does not give you a legal claim to the property unless a written agreement exists between you and the property owner.

What should I do if I think my property tax assessment is too high?

Property tax assessment disputes are handled by the Will County Assessor's Office, not the Treasurer. Contact the Assessor to request a reassessment or to file a formal appeal. The important date to file an appeal is typically in the spring, so contact the office early if you believe your assessment is incorrect. Paying your bill on time does not affect your right to challenge the assessment.