Property tax bills will be mailed Monday and should arrive next week to homes all over Johnson County.
Taxpayers are asked to pay a total of $186.3 million in taxes this year on property that totals $12 billion in gross assessed value.
Total taxes due in the county have increased about $10 million a year since 2017, while gross assessed value has increased roughly $500 million, data from the county treasurer’s and assessor’s offices show.
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the county’s total assessed value continued to grow at an even higher rate than in recent years, data shows.
Total assessed value grew by 10% for the Jan. 1 assessment, compared to 8% for the Jan. 1, 2020 assessment, said Mark Alexander, county assessor. Johnson County was among the fastest-growing counties in the state, he said.
Both industrial and residential assessed value increased markedly last year, which were the main drivers behind the increase, Alexander said.
Assessment data shows industrial growth added $106.3 million in new assessed value, and residential growth added $94.3 million in new assessed value.
Local and state officials feared high unemployment for part of 2020 would impact tax collections, but it does not appear to have impacted Johnson County collections. Tax collections fell a negligible amount last year, with 96.89% of 2019 pay 2020 taxes collected, compared to 96.96% of 2018 pay 2019, according to the treasurer’s office.
The county promoted payment options that allowed residents to pay their taxes from home or make contactless payments, which likely contributed to the normal payment numbers last year. Those contactless payment options are still available this year.
Landowners may pay online, by phone, at several local bank branches, by mail, via a drop box or in person at the county’s west annex building in downtown Franklin.
Spring taxes are due by May 10, and fall taxes will be due on Nov. 10. Taxpayers may pay both installments at once or separately.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="How to pay" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Here is a look at how to pay your property taxes in Johnson County:
<strong>Online</strong>
How: Visit co.johnson.in.us. Hover over the “I Want To” menu and click “Pay My Property Tax.”
Payment: Credit, debit or electronic check.
Fee: Paying online with an electronic check is free. Visa debit card users will be charged $3.95 per transaction. All other debit or credit cards will have a fee of 2.5% per transaction amount with a $1.50 minimum.
<strong>By phone</strong>
How: Call 317-346-4330.
Payment: Credit, debit or electronic check.
Fee: Paying online with an electronic check is free. Visa debit card users will be charged $3.95 per transaction. All other debit or credit cards will have a fee of 2.5% per transaction amount with a $1.50 minimum.
<strong>Local bank</strong>
How: Visit a branch of First Financial Bank, First Merchants Bank, First National Bank, Horizon Bank and Mutual Savings Bank in Johnson County. The original tax coupon must accompany payment and payment must be for the exact amount.
Payment: All types.
Fee: No fee unless charged by the bank.
<strong>By mail</strong>
How: Send to Johnson County Treasurer 86 W. Court Street, Franklin, IN 46131. Include the tax coupon with payment.
Payment: Mailed payments should be check or money order only.
Fee: No fee.
<strong>Dropbox</strong>
How: Include your payment with the tax coupon in an envelope. The dropbox is located outside the West Annex Building on the east side of the building at 86 W. Court Street, Franklin.
Payment: Payments should be check or money order only.
Fee: No fee.
<strong>In person</strong>
How: Visit the Treasurer’s Office at 86 W. Court Street, Franklin. Bring your tax coupon.
Payment: All types.
Fee: No fee unless paying with a credit card.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
