This is the first in a series of articles explaining how property tax levies work with local school district communities.
When a school district passes a property tax levy, it is effective immediately. If a levy is passed in Nov., 2017, it is effective for the tax year 2017 and collected in 2018. Taxpayers see the increase on their tax bill due in mid- to late January of 2018.
Property taxes are based on a calendar year. Taxes assessed in 2017 are collected in 2018.
Here is an example:
Levy passed in Feb., 2017: Taxes are assessed in 2017 and first half 2017 collected in Jan., 2018
Levy passed in Nov., 2017: Taxes are assessed in 2017 and first half 2017 collected in Jan., 2018
Levy Passed in May 2018: Taxes are assessed in 2018 and first half 2018 collected in Jan., 2019
To recap, when a tax is voted in it is effective immediately. The first half property taxes assessed in the prior year are always collected starting in January for the previous year.