Treasurer tax advice: avoid late fees

PORTAGE COUNTY — Portage County Treasurer Pam Przybelski is encouraging residents who pay their property tax bills by mail to be aware of a recent U.S. Postal Service policy change that may affect when envelopes are postmarked.
In Aug. 2025, the Postal Service instituted a nationwide change as to when a postmark is affixed to incoming mail. Instead of postmarks being affixed when the item is first touched by the Postal Service, postmarks are now stamped at regional sorting centers.
This may result in a postmark that is several days after you put your mail in the mailbox. Przybelski says, “If you plan to pay your property taxes by mail, don’t wait until right before the Jan. 31 due date to put it in the mail.”
To avoid paying late, Przybelski encourages Portage County property taxpayers to mail payments earlier or to use an E-check payment option, either online or over a dedicated phone line, to avoid becoming delinquent and accruing interest and penalties. There is also the option to make a payment online.
Tax payments for all municipalities, except the current year for the Towns of Almond, Belmont, Eau Pleine and Lanark and the City of Stevens Point, can be made on the County’s website. Przybelski says, “Another option would be to physically bring your payment into the post office and request that they postmark your payment in front of you.”