Treasurer

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I just received a "Valuation Notice"; how do I appeal the value?
A: The Cache County Assessor establishes the value for all property located in Cache County. The Valuation Notice you have received reports this value to you. Because this value will determine the eventual tax amount that will be due November 30th, it is important that the amount be accurate. If you disagree with the market value of your real property, you have the opportunity to appear before the Cache County Board of Equalization where the owner, an appraiser from the Assessor's Office, and a second unbiased appraiser will present evidence to support their opinions of the value that has been assigned to the property. Your Valuation Notice indicates the time and date for you to schedule a hearing before the Board.

Q: I purchased my property this year, will I get a valuation and tax notice?
A: By law (USC 59-2-303) notifications are mailed to the January 1 recorded owner. Unless you, as the new property owner contact the County Treasurer's office and give us your name and mailing address, current year notifications will be sent to the January 1 owner. By contacting the Treasurer's office your tax notice will reflect the January 1 ownership AND will be placed in care of you for mailing purposes. Because ownership of property can change frequently throughout the year it is important that the party responsible for payment of the current tax year notify the Treasurer's office so we can provide you with the valuation and tax information.

Q: When I purchased my property, my taxes were "prorated". What does this mean?
A: Title companies will, along with many other services, prorate the current year tax to the best of their ability. This means that early in the tax year their estimate of the years tax will be based on several factors, one being the previous years tax amount. If it appears the value will change from the previous year (segregation, vacant to residential, etc.) they will base the prorated tax amount on the fair market value for the current year. The largest majority of title companies will indicate a credit to the buyer on the settlement statement. This credit is the sellers portion of the current year tax. This credit is NOT paid to the County Treasurer for property taxes but is given to the buyer. The buyer will then be responsible for the full years tax having received this credit. This is why it is so important that the new property owners notify the Treasurer's office of their name and mailing address so we can send them the current year tax notice. Occasionally a title company will apply the seller's portion of the property taxes to the current year tax as a PREPAYMENT. If this occurs, the balance of the yearly tax is the responsibility of the current owner. Again, this emphasizes the importance of notifying the Treasurer of your mailing address.

Q: I have an escrow account with a mortgage company; is there anything of which I should be aware?
A: It is the property owner's responsibility to keep track of whether their mortgage company will be or has paid their property taxes for them. If a mortgage company holds an escrow account that includes the payment of property taxes, the procedure for payment varies by company. Typically, each mortgage company will request the tax amount from the county. This request can be via tape listing, paper request listings, or occasionally the actual mailing of the tax notice itself. The mortgage company is required to make this request each tax season. If the request is received early enough, the statement "Alert Mortgage Company remit" is printed on your tax notice. This is ONLY an indication of a companies request for the tax amount. You, as a property owner, must determine whether the taxes will be paid by your mortgage company. You should also receive an "End of Year Statement" from your mortgage company indicating funds having been disbursed from your account. The majority of payments from mortgage companies are not posted until November 30th or later.

Q: When are tax notices mailed and when is the payment due?
A: Property taxes are typically mailed approximately the third week of October. The due date will always be November 3oth unless this day falls on a weekend. Then the due date will move to the next Monday. If you have not received a tax notice by the first of November, please call the Treasurer's office so we can send you the billing and/or provide you with the tax amount. Payments are accepted with a personal check (the account holder's name and address must be pre-printed), cash or cashier's check, travelers checks, and money orders. Make checks payable to the Cache county Treasurer.

Q: What if my check is returned for insufficient funds?
A: Depending on the time of year and the tax year being paid, you may be subject to additional penalty and interest. If you are notified by your lending institution of your check being returned to us, please contact us immediately. You will be given a new figure for the payoff amount. If you are unable to make payment immediately, just be sure to contact us when funds are available. Penalty and interest will continue to accrue.

Q: Will I receive a receipt?
A: To reduce unnecessary mailing and associated costs to Cache County taxpayers, those who remit payment by mail will not receive a return receipt unless specifically requested with the tax payment. Persons presenting payment at our counter will receive a receipt at the time of payment. For records-keeping and tax purposes, your tax notice and cancelled check or copy of money order will serve as a receipt.

Q: What if I cannot pay my taxes?
A: Tax relief programs exist for citizens of Cache County who meet certain criteria. Current programs include: Veteran's Exemption (based on disability), Blind Exemption, Circuit Breaker (over 65 or widow/widower), and Disability/Hardship. For property owners who do not meet the criteria for tax relief, partial payments are accepted until taxes are paid in full. The applicable penalty is attached, and interest on delinquent taxes continues to accrue until taxes are paid in full.

Still have questions? Contact the Cache County Treasurer's office at 435-716-8394 for more information