Tax bills are due in Warren County no later than Dec. 31 and there are several ways to make payments, but County Collector Julie Schaumberg stresses that residents should not wait until the last minute to make their payments. 

She said that making sure payments come in early makes it easier for her office when they have to reach out to taxpayers about issues with their payments. 

“The issue that you run into is, if your check is wrong, whether it’s in the drop box, or even if it’s got that postmark, if your check is wrong in any way, shape or form, then you’re going to get penalties and interest,” said Schaumberg. 

Penalties and interest would be incurred if staffers in the collector’s office are unable to reach taxpayers to fix discrepancies before the deadline. 

Late payments are automatically assessed a 9% penalty, plus 2% in interest each month until outstanding bills are paid. Those penalties are required by statute in Missouri, according to Schaumberg. 

Taxpayers can settle their bills with the county by leaving checks in the payment drop box at the County Administration Building, by paying at the window at the collector’s office, or on the county’s website at https://warrencountycollector.com/ under they “pay taxes” tab. 

Schaumberg did note that while cash is accepted at the window in the office, payments left at the drop box must be checks. She also warned that traffic will rise on the website as the deadline nears and it may run slower than usual. 

“With the online system, don’t wait, because on the very last day it gets backlogged, and if it goes down in any way, shape or form, that’s still going to be their issue,” said Schaumberg. 

For those paying by mail, Schaumberg said they should make sure to obtain a circle postmark at the post office when they mail their checks. The postmark should include the date the letter was mailed and which post office it was mailed from. 

She said the postmark proves to her office that the payment was mailed on time, so that even if it arrives late because of issues with delivery, the taxpayer will not incur penalties. 

Mailed payments without the postmark are not afforded the same courtesy. 

Taxpayers must also include the bill number on their check for payment, which can be found on the top right corner of their bills. 

She did also warn that there may be lines at the collector’s office as the deadline nears and more people file in to pay their taxes. 

“Have some patience when you’re coming in those last few days, because there’s going to be lines,” said Schaumberg. 

Taxpayers with any additional questions can reach the county collector’s office at 636-456-3330.