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.