We have all heard the old adage: "The only sure things in life are death and taxes."

Indeed, property taxes are a sure thing -- and the deadline for property owners in 90 Indiana counties to pay their spring installment is just around the corner. In most counties, that due date is May 10, 2011. But what happens if you don't pay your bill or if there is an appeal pending for your assessment?

Let's take a look at a few of the questions that you may have ...

What are the consequences if I do not pay my property tax bill by the due date?

With your tax bill, you receive two payment stubs. Use the first stub when you submit your spring payment (which has a typical due date of May 10). Use the second stub when you submit your fall payment (which has a typical due date of Nov. 10). Be sure to pay the full portion of your spring installment on time. Otherwise, you must pay a delinquent penalty fee equivalent to 5 percent of your unpaid portion, assuming you submit the late payment within 30 days of the deadline. After that, the penalty fee increases to 10 percent of your unpaid portion.

What if there is an appeal pending for my property tax assessment?

At Integrity, we encourage our clients to pay their tax bill in full. When an appeal is successfully resolved, you will receive a refund that includes any tax dollars overpaid as a result of the granted reduction, as well as 4 percent interest for the period between payment and resolution of the appeal.

Is it possible for an appeal to remain unresolved for several years?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is yes. Our consultants file appeals according to the statues set forth by the DLGF (Department of Government Finance) and IBTR (Indiana Board of Tax Review). When a county mails an assessment notice to a taxpayer, a 45-day window to appeal the assessment begins. The county must then negotiate with a tax representative or taxpayer to resolve the issues of the appeal. If they are able to reach a settlement in the early stages of the process, the appeal could be resolved within a matter of weeks or months. Sometimes, however, the PTABOA (Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals) must step in, which typically lengthens the process. If the PTABOA is not able to achieve a mutual resolution, the IBTR must then look at the appeal. At each stage of the process, new statutory deadlines are put into place. When you consider the numerous factors at play -- ongoing trending, the upcoming reassessments in each county, and the thousands of appeals filed at the county and state levels -- the process can seem a bit overwhelming. Rest assured, the consultants and administrative assistants at Integrity Tax watch these evolving deadlines very closely to make sure all of your bases are covered.

Who is responsible for issuing my tax bill?

Each county is responsible for mailing tax bills to all property owners using their last known address. In most cases, this is the address listed on the deed filed with the Auditor's office. Most counties now require property owners to notify them in writing if there has been a change of address. In some cases, you must notarize this written letter, as well. If you have not received a property tax bill, it is in your best interests to verify your mailing address with the Auditor's office or Treasurer's office in your county. By not doing so, you may inadvertently miss your deadline and have to pay delinquent penalties.

Need help completing your personal property tax paperwork or keeping track of deadlines? Give us a call at (888) 870-8211 or send us an email at info@integritytax.com.