When Are Property Taxes Due? 2026 Schedule by State

Property tax due dates vary by state and even by county. Most US states bill property tax annually with either one payment or two installments. Common deadlines fall in late summer (1st installment) and late winter (2nd installment) — but specifics differ widely.

Here’s the 2026 schedule for major states, plus rules on escrow, late penalties, and payment options.

Quick reference: 2026 property tax due dates by state

State	Annual due date	Installment option	Late penalty
California	Nov 1 (1st), Feb 1 (2nd)	2 installments	10% + $30 if delinquent
Texas	Jan 31 (annual)	Some counties allow installments	6% + interest from Feb 1
Florida	Mar 31 (full discount)	Optional 4-installment plan	1.5% per month
New York	Varies by city (Jan 1 / Jul 1 typical)	Quarterly in NYC	5-18% APR varies
Pennsylvania	Mar 31 (county); varies for school	Most counties: 2 installments	Up to 10% varies
Illinois	Jun 1 (1st), Sep 1 (2nd)	2 installments	1.5% per month
Ohio	Feb (1st half), Jul (2nd half)	2 installments	10% + 5% interest
Georgia	Dec 20 typical	Some installments	10% + 1% per month
North Carolina	Sep 1 (delinquent Jan 5)	Single payment	2% Feb, 0.75%/mo
Michigan	Sep 14 (summer), Feb 14 (winter)	2 installments	1% per month + 4% Feb
Massachusetts	Aug 1, Nov 1, Feb 1, May 1	Quarterly	14% APR + fees
Virginia	Jun 5 (1st), Dec 5 (2nd) typical	2 installments	10% + 10% APR
New Jersey	Feb 1, May 1, Aug 1, Nov 1	Quarterly	8% on first $1,500, 18% above
Washington	Apr 30 (1st), Oct 31 (2nd)	2 installments	3% June 1, 8% Dec 1
Arizona	Oct 1 (1st), Mar 1 (2nd)	2 installments	1.33% per month

Always verify exact dates with your county assessor — schedules can change.

If your mortgage has escrow, you don’t see the bill

If you have a mortgage with an escrow account (most conventional loans with less than 20% down do), your lender:

1. Collects 1/12 of your annual property tax each month with your mortgage payment
2. Holds the funds in escrow
3. Pays the county directly when the bill is due

You’ll receive an escrow analysis statement annually showing the breakdown. If your property tax increases, your mortgage payment will adjust upward to cover the new amount. If your escrow runs short, you may need to make a one-time additional payment or accept a higher monthly amount.

Without escrow, you’re responsible for paying the county directly. You’ll receive a bill (or notification of online payment availability) several weeks before the due date. Set reminders — late penalties are steep.

What happens if you miss a property tax payment?

Stage 1: Penalty + interest (Day 1 to ~6 months)

Most states immediately apply a 5-10% penalty plus 1-2% per month interest. You can still pay and clear the delinquency.

Stage 2: Tax lien certificate or tax sale notice (6 months to 2 years)

The county may sell a tax lien certificate to investors who pay your unpaid taxes (plus penalties) and earn high interest on the debt. You have a redemption period (1-3 years typically) to pay them back with interest before losing your property.

Stage 3: Tax deed sale / foreclosure (1-7 years)

If you fail to redeem during the redemption period, the county auctions your property at a tax deed sale. The new owner gets the deed; you lose all equity. This is rare but happens — typically only on properties where the owner has died, moved, or is unreachable.

Payment options most states offer

1. Online payment — Most counties accept ACH or credit card. Credit card fees: 2-3%. ACH usually free.
2. Mail check — Always certified or registered with return receipt.
3. In person at county treasurer’s office.
4. Bank bill-pay — Set up your county as a payee. Allow 5-7 business days for processing.
5. Mortgage escrow — Lender pays automatically (covered above).

How to avoid late property tax surprises

• Set calendar reminders 30 days before each due date
• Check your escrow annually — adjust if tax went up
• Sign up for county email/text alerts — most modern counties offer this free
• Pay early if you can — some states (Florida) offer 4% discount for November payment
• Verify online payment posted — keep confirmation numbers

Property tax due date FAQs

Q: Are property taxes due all at once or in installments? A: Depends on the state. Most allow installments (typically 2 — summer and winter). California, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio all use 2-installment systems. Some (NJ, MA, NYC) use 4 quarterly installments. Some (Texas, North Carolina, Georgia) require annual lump-sum payment.

Q: Can I prepay property tax for the next year? A: Yes, most counties accept prepayment. Until 2017 this was a popular tax-deduction strategy — paying current AND following year in December. The TCJA capped SALT deductions at $10K, reducing this benefit. Still worth doing if you’re under the SALT cap.

Q: What if I’m waiting on a property tax refund? A: Don’t withhold current payment based on a pending refund or appeal. Pay on time, then receive your refund separately. Most jurisdictions process refunds in 4-12 weeks.

Q: Are property taxes prorated when you buy or sell a home? A: Yes. At closing, the seller pays property tax up to the closing date, and the buyer takes responsibility from that date forward. The exact mechanics differ by state — sometimes a “tax prorated” credit appears on the settlement statement.

Q: Do property taxes change every year? A: Yes. Most counties reassess values annually or every 2-3 years. Tax rates (mill rates) are set by local governments each year. Even if your home value stays the same, your tax can change if rates are adjusted.

Related calculators

• Property Tax Calculator — National overview with all 50 states
• State Property Tax Calculator — State-specific estimators (51 state pages)
• Mortgage Calculator — Full PITI estimate including taxes
• State Mortgage Calculator — State-specific PITI by state

Always double-check your county’s official website for the most current schedule. Property tax administration is heavily local — there are over 3,000 US counties, each with its own rules.