Winter property taxes vs. summer property taxes; are there really two separate tax seasons? No, not really.
Both tax bills cover the entire year (January 1 – December 31) but the taxes owed are divided into two separate payments: a summer payment and a winter payment. State and local education taxes are primarily collected in the summer, while other government taxing units default to the winter collection. This is why even if a property is sold mid-year, both parties to the sale will pay their portion of the summer and winter bill based on the number of days each party owned the parcel.
For a breakdown of the millages billed each tax season, visit the Treasurer’s Office webpage.