FAQs

When will my property go to tax sale?: When a property is delinquent three (3) years, it enters into the "Tax Deed" process. Typically, in May of each year, Kootenai County Tax Collector identifies all real properties that are three (3) years delinquent and generates a "Pending Issue of Tax Deed" letter to the recorded owner of those properties. This is their notice to either satisfy the most delinquent year (s) to bring the property to a minimum of two (2) years delinquent or have the property tax deeded to Kootenai County's name. The tax payer must pay the third-year delinquency in full to stop the Tax Deed Process. Partial payments will be accepted and applied at any time but will not stop the Tax Deed action until the third year delinquency is paid in full. See Idaho Code 63-1003 and 63-1005

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Treasurer

1. When are personal property or manufactured housing taxes due?: All taxes shown on personal property and manufactured housing are due and payable on demand. If no demand is made, the taxes may be paid in two equal halves. The first half is due and payable on or before December 20th, and the second half is due and payable on or before June 20th of the following year. If the first half is not paid on or before December 20th, that half becomes delinquent and the entire tax becomes due and payable. A Warrant of Distraint will be issued to the County Sheriff for collection. Full payment of all tax, late charge, warrant fees and interest is required to release the warrant. See Idaho Code 63-904 (2) and 63-1013

2. When are property taxes due?: Property taxes are due each year on or before December 20th. If you choose to pay in two installments, the first half is due on or before December 20th with the second half due on or before June 20th of the following year. Subsequent billings may also be mailed in the event of a correction or late addition to the tax roll. If a structure is completed midyear or a personal property declaration is not received when due, a subsequent billing may result. See Idaho Code 63-903

Pay by Mail:

Make sure your envelope is postmarked on or before the due date. If mailing close to the deadline, we strongly suggest that you have your envelope postmarked at the postal counter rather than dropping it in the box, to be sure it is properly dated. Only payments with a USPS postmark on or before the due date will be accepted as on time. Please send the bill stub with your payment to help us process your taxes efficiently.

Pay in Person:

At the Treasurer's Office, 451 N Government Way, Coeur D Alene, Idaho. The office hours are 9:00-5:00, Monday-Friday, excluding holidays. We accept checks, cashier's Checks, money orders and cash. There is also a drop box located outside our office door.

Pay by Internet or Phone:

A convenience fee of up to 3% of the total payment will be charged.

Credit Card Payment Options:

Pay On-line by credit card or e-check: www.kcgov.us

Pay by Phone using a credit card: Call 1-208-446-1005 and select option #3 from the phone directory. You will be asked to enter Jurisdiction code 2213 when paying by phone.

You will need to provide the bill number, amount being paid and the tax year you would like to pay.

If you are paying on a delinquent account, please call our office for the correct total at (208) 446-1005.

Credit card payment services are provided by a private vendor, and all fees associated with the transaction are paid by the tax payer. You will receive a confirmation number indicating that your transaction is complete.

4. Will I be sent any other notices?: A second half reminder notice will be mailed in May. Warrant of Distraint notices are mailed in May and August on Personal Property and mobile homes with delinquent balances. Failure to receive a bill does not excuse the taxpayer from paying taxes, late charge and interest accrued, if any. See Idaho Code 63-902

5. What is the late charge and interest rate?: Late charge is 2% of the unpaid balance and is applied on December 21st. Interest is accrued beginning January 1 and the rate as directed by State Code is 1% per month. If the full tax is not paid by June 20th, interest on the unpaid tax will accrue from January 1st. If less than half the tax is received by December 20 interest will be applied to the unpaid balance beginning January 1st. See Idaho Code 63-201 (12) and 63-1001

6. Can I use my Online Banking or Bill Payment services to pay my property taxes?: The Tax Collector recommends that you do NOT use these services to pay property taxes. If you choose to use this method of payment make sure to schedule your payment date 10 business days in advance. The reason is the Internal Revenue Code 7502 states that the Tax Collector must process a payment, received after the delinquency date, as of the date of the United States Postal Services (USPS) postmark. Banking institutions use permit imprint presorted envelopes, which USPS does not post mark. In The absence of a postmark, we apply penalties based on the date we receive payment. See Idaho Code 63-217

7. Can I pay multiple tax accounts with one check, or use multiple checks for one account?: Multiple accounts may be paid with one check. Also, multiple checks may be used to pay for one account, but the check amount(s) must equal the amount due and be sent together in one envelope. You may also send partial payments from multiple payees. Please include your payment stub when submitting your payment.

8. Are property taxes prorated during escrow?

The prorating of property taxes between buyer and seller usually takes place during escrow. However, escrow may not always issue a payment to the Treasurer and Tax Collector, especially if escrow closes before the annual tax information is available, or before the second installment is due.

You should always check the status of your taxes before the delinquency dates, December 20th and June 20th.

It is important to note that the Annual Secured Property Tax Bill is mailed to the address recorded on the warranty deed. You should check the address listed on the top left corner of your warranty deed to confirm where your bill will be mailed.

9. When will my property go to tax sale?: When a property is delinquent three (3) years, it enters into the "Tax Deed" process. Typically, in May of each year, Kootenai County Tax Collector identifies all real properties that are three (3) years delinquent and generates a "Pending Issue of Tax Deed" letter to the recorded owner of those properties. This is their notice to either satisfy the most delinquent year (s) to bring the property to a minimum of two (2) years delinquent or have the property tax deeded to Kootenai County's name. The tax payer must pay the third-year delinquency in full to stop the Tax Deed Process. Partial payments will be accepted and applied at any time but will not stop the Tax Deed action until the third year delinquency is paid in full. See Idaho Code 63-1003 and 63-1005

10. How do I challenge the amount of my tax if it seems too high?

You may challenge the taxable value of your property only during the month you receive your assessment notice. Assessment notices are mailed on or before the 1st Monday in June of each year and the appeal must be received by the Commissioner's Office by the 4th Monday of June. If you did not appeal the current year value in June, you must wait until the next year to appeal the assessed value.

If you feel that the levy of a taxing district is too high or you wonder what the levy pays for, call the district directly. The phone number of all of the taxing districts within Kootenai County can be found on your tax bill or assessment notice. You can have input regarding the annual levy rate of a taxing district by participating in the annual budget hearing of the districts.

11. My mortgage company pays my taxes. Why did you send me a bill?: All property owners receive a bill whether or not a mortgage company pays the taxes. Please verify with your mortgage company before paying any taxes due. If the payment is not received prior to the due date, late charges and interest will be added.

12. Can I make payments or get a head start on future years taxes?

Partial payments toward real property delinquent taxes are accepted (any amount, any time) and are applied to taxes, and any costs, interest and late charges that may have been assessed proportionally.

Partial payments can be applied toward current year or future taxes on all property types. Any remaining balance may be paid according to the standard schedules and regulations for property tax collection.

Once any part of a personal property or manufactured home tax becomes delinquent, the unpaid portion of the entire tax shall immediately become due and payable.

13. How can I get help with my taxes?: Property tax relief is available through the Homeowner's exemption, State Circuit Breaker exemption, Hardship program, Property Tax Deferral Program and 100% Service connected Disabled Veterans Benefits. All programs are applied for in the Assessor's Office please contact their office for details.

14. I received two bills but only have one property. Why?

There are a few reasons you may receive a second bill for your parcel.

1. If you built or bought a newly constructed home that was completed midyear, you may receive a subsequent occupancy bill. This bill will be in addition to the real property (land) bill already sent in November. This occupancy bill will be for the improvements made to the real property, (i.e the home). These subsequent bills are late additions to the tax roll. If you have a lender you will need to verify with them who is going to pay this bill. A Copy was not sent to them. These subsequent billings will notify you of their due dates.

2. If you own a business and own personal property with value over $100,000, you will receive a bill for Personal Property or Transient Property Tax. These bills will notify you of their due dates.