Property taxes are due in two installments in McHenry County. The tax bills are mailed typically the first week of May. The first installment is then due approximately 30 days later, i.e., the first week of June, with the second installment due approximately the first week of September. Final dates for sending out tax bills, etc. are finalized once all key data from local, county, and state organizations has been received.

The time period each tax bill covers is from January to December of the preceding year.

The Treasurer's office is open Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 5:00pm
Passport hours are Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm

Mail your tax bill payment to: 

McHenry County Collector
P.O. Box 8730
Carol Stream, IL 60197-8730

Pay in person at:

McHenry County Treasurer Office
2100 N. Seminary Ave.
Woodstock, IL 60098
(located at the southeast corner of Rt. 47 and Russell Ct.)
with drive-thru service and 24-hr. drop box service available

Pay online:

Electronic check (E-Check) payments are FREE this year on our website. 

 Using a credit card or debit card on our website.  (fees apply)

Pay by phone:

Using a credit card or direct withdrawal with the automated service at TBD (fees apply).

Most McHenry County banks accept payment. Check with your local bank to verify that they accept real estate tax payments. Note: credit card payments are NOT accepted at the banks.

You may pay by phone, internet or in the Treasurer’s office with Visa, Master Card, Discover and American Express. Instructions are enclosed with your tax bill. There is approximately a 2.4% fee that is charged by the credit card company. The county receives no part of this fee.

You can obtain an email receipt by registering your email address prior to making a payment. Or bring your entire bill to the Treasurer’s Office or your financial institution to have the front of the bill stamped paid.

The McHenry County Treasurer's office is not able to accept partial payment.

Yes, as long as the postmark is made by the post office, and not by a metered postal machine. The payment must be dated by midnight of the due date in order to avoid penalty costs. Also please note that once the certified letters are sent out by our office, postmark is no longer accepted. Any payments received after the final due date will be returned.

If you did not receive a tax bill during the month of May, or if you lost your bill, you may call our office at 815-334-4260, or obtain a copy of your bill using our Look up/Pay Your Tax Bill

Remember: Failure to receive your tax bill does not void the tax or prevent the addition of penalties and costs.

The County Assessments Office does all address corrections and can be reached at 815-334-4290. Changing the address requires a signature. Request for Change of Address Form

Property is taxed not the individual. Taxes are based on the calendar year and the prior year’s assessment. Prorating of the tax bill between the buyer and the seller, based on the length of ownership, is generally done at the time the property changes hands and is written into the contract. The new owner should read their closing papers for the prorated tax credit.

The mortgage company sends an email requesting the amount of your real estate tax bill. The mortgage company will then forward payment to the Treasurer’s office.

We always mail the bill to the property owner. You may forward the bill to your bank if you wish. If in doubt whether you need to forward your bill for payment, contact your mortgage company.

The first payment is applied and any additional payment(s) are refunded to the maker of the duplicate payment.

Check online for the current status of your taxes or call our office. Thirty days before any delinquent taxes are sent to the tax sale, certified letters are sent to property owners informing them of the dates and penalties involved regarding any current unpaid taxes.

When lenders hold money in escrow for property tax payments, it is their obligation to pay the taxes on time, and for the appropriate amount. In cases where a mistake is made, the lender is responsible for all penalties and fees. These fees are to come out of their corporate account, not the escrow account and must be included when the tax payment is made.

The McHenry County Treasurer’s Office will discontinue charging a duplicate bill fee for the McHenry County Tax Bills. This decision will result in a standard operating practice and provide uniformity for all the taxpayers. Any fees received will not be returned but deposited into the Treasurer’s Automation account.

State law requires that after the due date a late penalty is added at the rate of 1.5% per month or part of a month and increases every 30 days until the date of tax sale.

Since all property taxes in the county must be paid each year, delinquent taxes are offered at a tax sale in the fall. At this time, tax buyers bid for the opportunity to pay delinquent taxes, and acquire a lien on the property. This lien must be paid back to the tax buyer through the County Clerk’s office at whatever rate of interest the successful bidder established upon winning the bid. You can contact the County Clerk at 815-334-4242.

It could eventually lead to the loss of your property, but only if the tax lien remains unpaid over two years.

Your local township assessor can help explain the assessed value of your property. The following link will provide you with township assessor contact information.

The County Assessments Office is responsible for a variety of exemptions, legal descriptions, mapping, and address clarifications, as well as the filing of assessment complaints. Information is available online or by phone at 815-334-4290.

Tax rates are determined by your taxing bodies, for example: schools, libraries, fire departments. Contact them directly with questions.