Payment Plans

Escrow Plan (aka Prepayment Program)

 

Why Prepay

 We understand in these challenging economic times it may be difficult for some taxpayers to budget for a large semi-annual tax bill.  The treasurer's Office is making it easier for you to plan ahead and  lessen the shock of semi-annual tax payments with the Escrow Plan Prepayment Plan.  The Escrow Prepayment Plan is designed to provide you with a budgeting tool which conveniently divides your semi-annual property taxes into regular monthly payments.  
The Escrow plan is a FREE service that allows you to make monthly prepayments on your semi-annual tax obligation.

How it Works

 Once the taxpayer requests the plan and signs the contract, a monthly payment amount will be calculated by dividing the past year’s adjusted annual tax figure into equal payments that will depend on when the payment plan is started. The plan typically begins in August with 11 equal payments through June, and the July tax bill will show the final amount due. The taxpayer will receive one coupon per plan month along with mailing labels for ease in returning the payments. The amount shown on the coupon is a suggested payment amount with a suggested due date of the 15th of each month. Payments may be made any time before the semi-annual payment is due; there is no penalty if a monthly payment is missed as long as taxes are paid in full by each semi-annual due date. For more information, print the Escrow pamphlet.
 
The only qualification for the Escrow Plan is that the taxpayer does not have any delinquent balances at the time of enrollment. If there is a delinquency, a multiple-payment plan may be requested to address both the delinquency and escrowed taxes if applicable. See Delinquent Tax Contract below for more information.
 

How to Enroll

For participation in the program print the Escrow Contract. Complete and sign the Contract, and mail it to the treasurer’s office at:
Ashtabula County Treasurer
25 West Jefferson St.
Jefferson, OH 44047

If you would rather have your monthly payments automatically debited from your checking or savings account instead of remembering to mail checks each month, please print the ACH Automatic Withdrawal Agreement and return the completed and signed form with a voided check or deposit slip to the Treasurer’s office along with your Escrow Contract.

For questions on the Escrow Plan, please email or call 440-576-3631.
 

Delinquent Tax Contract

In this economy, it is often difficult to make ends meet. Sometimes we have to choose which bills to pay, and real estate taxes might get behind. A Delinquent Tax Contract may be the tool to help a homeowner get back on track with their real estate taxes by enabling them to repay their tax delinquency over time.

How it Works

The Delinquent Tax Contract extends the repayment period for delinquent taxes and puts a hold on interest and penalty charges as long as the contract is not voided or defaulted by failure to make payment. A valid contract will also remove the property from consideration of future tax lien sales and foreclosure actions. The Delinquent Tax Contract typically extends the delinquency repayment period to 24 months; however Treasurer reserves the right to extend repayment terms beyond 24 months. Delinquent Tax Contracts require current taxes to be paid on time; as such, Treasurer requires all persons on a Delinquent Tax Contract to also maintain an Escrow Plan. Both payment plans will be drafted together, and the total amount due will be withdrawn from your bank account on the 5th or 15th of each month.

If the Delinquent Tax Contract is voided or defaulted, previously accrued interest charges will be immediately applied to the account, and the file will be referred for potential tax lien sale, foreclosure proceedings, or other collection action.

Who Can Apply

A Delinquent Tax Contract is authorized under Ohio Revised Code Section 323.31, which enables the Treasurer to enter into an agreeable payment plan with an owner / occupier for their house or trailer taxes. The Treasurer is also offering this Tax Contract to farmers with delinquent taxes on their farm lands. Treasurer may consider Delinquent Tax Contracts for owners of vacant land, rental units and commercial property. Treasurer will not consider a Delinquent Tax Contract for property purchased with tax delinquency, and typically may not enter into a contract with an owner in active bankruptcy or foreclosure or with delinquent taxes on other property.
 

How to Enroll

Complete the Payment Plan Review Application and email or mail the completed application back to the office.  We will review your request and contact you to discuss your options.  If you are unable to complete the application or have questions, contact Delinquency Specialist Lynne by phone at 440-576-3631 or by email for assistance. Please note that appointments are required as the contract and payment documentation takes considerable time to prepare. If you are unable to make an appointment during the Delinquency Specialist’s office hours, please call or email the Delinquency Specialist for contract consideration by email or mail.