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County residents have a new online option to pay their real estate taxes at www.co.stearn.mn.us.

The new program also allows lenders, realtors, and title companies to access property valuation information on any piece of property without having to call or come into the county office.

"If someone forgets to pay their property taxes and doesn't make it into the office by 4:30 p.m., the date the payment is due, the resident has the option of going online at 11:59 p.m. and getting that payment made on time," said Randy Schreifels, Stearns County Auditor.

Currently, online payments must be made using an electronic check, an automatic debit from the property owners checking account. In the future, the county plans to add the option of paying with credit card. Property owners need to pay exactly half of their taxes to be eligible for online payments. If they had any penalties, interests, judgments, or delinquencies against the property at the May payment date, they cannot pay online.

The new property tax payment program allows people to pay taxes 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without leaving home. It also allows them to see their property tax records and track their payments online.

Property owners with agricultural land have until Thursday, Nov. 15, to pay the second half of their real estate taxes. The second half of mobile home taxes are also due on or before Nov. 15.

Late payments will be returned to the taxpayer if the proper penalty is not included. State law does not allow any exceptions. Penalty rate information is shown on the reverse side of the tax statements.

To insure their account is credited, taxpayers who pay by mail or in person must return the stub portion of the tax statement with their payment.

For further information, contact the county treasurer's office by calling 320-656-3870 during regular office hours (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)