The DuPage County Board voted Tuesday, April 28 to authorize the County Treasurer to waive late fees on property tax payments for taxpayers who can demonstrate financial hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Interest penalties for late payments of the first installment of property taxes, which are due June 1, will be postponed until September 1 for property owners who meet certain criteria. Payments made any time until September 1 will be considered timely. If the payment of the first installment is made after September 1, penalties will revert to June 1.
“Through our COVID-19 response, we are continually looking for ways to ease the burden on our residents. This step will ensure we keep our vital County services operational, while helping to ease the impact on those who may have been impacted by the virus,” said chairman Dan Cronin.
In order to receive relief, the property owner must meet one of the following criteria:
• The property owner was laid off or terminated from employment after March 9, if the applicant had been employed for at least 90 days prior to termination;
• The taxpayer has seen a reduction in income of 20% or greater
• A property owner has been unable to collect at least 80% of collectable rent on the property from March 1 to May 30;
A business operated by a property owner, located on that property, was shut down after being classified as non-essential and the applicant has not applied for and received relief pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program of the Coronavirus, Aid Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The action was taken to address the reality that many DuPage County property owners have lost income due to the shutdown in effect because of the COVID-19 crisis,” said Treasurer Gwen Henry. “The fact exists that many families who have set aside money to pay their property taxes now need those funds to make mortgage or car payments as well as purchase groceries, medicine and other necessities,” she said.
Property taxes paid through escrow are not subject to relief. For now, the September 1 tax deadline for the second installment of property taxes will remain unchanged and late penalties will still apply. The application for waived late payment fees can be found online at www.dupageco.org/treasurer.
— DuPage County Board