County Treasurer

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Dan Barenie,
Treasurer

LaPorte Office

555 Michigan Avenue, Suite 102
La Porte, IN 46350
Phone: 219-326-6808 Ext. 2145
Fax: 219-326-7799
Email: [email protected]

Michigan City Office

300 Washington St, #361
Michigan City, IN 46360
Phone: 219-874-5611 Ext. 2062

OFFICE HOURS

Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

LOBBY HOURS

Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

ABOUT THE TREASURER’S OFFICE

The office of the County Treasurer is a constitutional office. The Treasurer is elected to serve a four-year term and may not exceed two consecutive terms.  The Treasurer is the financial officer of the county and custodian of all money belonging to the County.

The chief function of the County Treasurer is the billing and collecting of property taxes and special assessments on real estate, personal property and mobile homes located in the County.  The Treasurer disburses these funds as ordered by the County Auditor. The Treasurer maintains the County’s bank accounts and invests county funds.

Other functions of the Treasurer’s Office are:

  • Tracking all bankruptcies filed on behalf of property owners.
  • Collecting and disbursing Innkeepers tax.
  • Daily balance of receipts and disbursements.
  • Furnishing mobile home transfer/moving permits.
  • Issues all tax clearance for liquor licenses.
  • Handles all investments for the county.
  • Conducts annual real estate tax sale.
  • Entering all personal property judgments with the Clerk of Circuit Court for unpaid personal property.
  • Notification to taxing units when government employees fail to pay their property taxes.
  • Sending notice of surplus funds for tax payments in excess of $5.00.

INNKEEPER'S TAX

County Innkeeper’s Tax (CIT) is a levy tax on every person engaged in the business of renting or furnishing, for periods of less than thirty (30) days, any room or rooms, lodgings, or accommodations.  LaPorte County adopted Ordinance 92-1 that simply states, that the tax shall be paid to the LaPorte County Treasurer’s office not more than twenty (20) days after the end of the month in which the tax is collected.

The LaPorte County Innkeepers Tax rate is 5%. Revenue generated from this tax helps fund Visit Michigan City LaPorte.

  • Coming Soon!

    LaPorte County Innkeepers Tax return
    Indiana Code 6-9-6-6
    Innkeepers Ordinance 92-1
    Innkeepers Ordinance 26-1
    IDOR Departmental Notice #40

DEMANDS

Demand Notices – Personal Property and Mobile Homes

Each year after the May tax payment deadline, personal properties and mobile homes that are delinquent from the prior year will be subject to a $8 demand fee.  If not paid within 60 days from the date of the demand, the demand will become a certified judgment to the LaPorte County Clerk of the Courts.

Once the judgment becomes certified, the amount is turned over to American Financial Credit Services and an additional percentage collection fee is added.  After certification payments must be made to American Financial Credit Services, 10333 N Meridian St., Suite 270, Indianapolis, IN 46290  Phone 1-888-317-2327.  Daily interest will be applied.

SURPLUS CLAIMS/REFUND

SURPLUS CLAIMS

Surplus notification of and Claim for Surplus funds are available two times a year following the May and November tax collections. Letters will be sent by the County Treasurer to the owner of record of properties that have over-payments exceeding the total taxes due for the year. The refund may or may not be owed to the owner of record.

Reasons for Surplus

There are several things that may cause surplus taxes including the following:

  • Taxes were paid at a real estate closing or a refinance and again on the tax due date.
  • A correction was made to the taxes due after the taxes were paid in full.
  • A payment was made on an incorrect parcel.
  • buyer and seller both paid a tax installment in error.

Proof of Surplus

Because of the above stated reasons for surplus, it is important that the rightful person receive the refund. It is for that reason that a taxpayer is asked to provide proof that they are entitled to the refund. The County Treasurer’s Office has the ability to locate some checks and statements depending on where they were paid. If you believe you are entitled to a refund, but are unable to locate the appropriate receipts, please contact the County Treasurer’s Office for assistance at 219-326-6808 ext. 2062 or 2145.

Claiming Surplus

Taxpayers may apply for the surplus refund by sending or bringing the surplus notice letter plus all receipts to either office of the LaPorte County Treasurer. Following the review of the information provided a claim form will be prepared by the Treasurer’s Office and delivered to the Auditor’s Office for payment. The payment will be processed within approximately six weeks.

 LAPORTE COUNTY REFUND POLICY

Any payment made by a taxpayer via the County’s web payment portal is NON-REFUNDABLE, in whole or in part, once the payment has been submitted, confirmed and accepted by the County. If the submission is rejected by the County, refunds will be processed accordingly. Any processing fees associated with the transaction are NON-REFUNDABLE.

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