LaPorte County Property Tax Records
LaPorte County property tax records are managed by the LaPorte County Auditor's Office at the LaPorte County Office Building in LaPorte, Indiana, with Auditor Tim Stabosz overseeing deductions, exemptions, real estate transfers, tax duplicate preparation, and all other auditor functions for parcels across this northern Indiana county including those in Michigan City and the City of LaPorte. This page explains how to search LaPorte County property tax records online, how assessments are set, what deductions are available, and how the annual tax billing process works.
LaPorte County Property Tax Quick Facts
LaPorte County Auditor Office
LaPorte County Auditor Tim Stabosz leads the auditor's office at the LaPorte County Office Building, 813 Lincolnway, LaPorte, IN 46350. The main office phone is 219-326-6808 and Auditor Stabosz can be reached by email at tstabosz@laporteco.in.gov. The full county website is at laporteco.in.gov. The auditor's office has a detailed staff directory with direct extensions for specific functions.
Vaughn Galloway serves as Chief Deputy Auditor and can be reached at vgalloway@laporteco.in.gov, extension 2485. For property tax exemption questions specifically, Brandi Burger handles that area and can be reached at bburger@laporteco.in.gov, extension 2483. Having these direct contacts is useful because LaPorte County's auditor's office handles a range of distinct functions, and reaching the right person saves time. As the county notes in its materials, if you need help regarding your taxes, you will want to contact the County Assessor for property value information or the County Auditor for all other tax matters. That division of responsibility is the standard Indiana model, but LaPorte County's staff directory makes it easier to reach exactly who you need.
The screenshot below shows the LaPorte County website, which provides access to the auditor's office contact information and county property tax resources.
The laporteco.in.gov site is the official entry point for LaPorte County property tax information, staff contacts, and links to deduction forms and online tools.
Search LaPorte County Property Tax Records Online
LaPorte County property owners can pay and look up tax information online through the county's payment system at laporteco.in.gov. For phone-based payment and account lookup, the county provides a toll-free number at 1-877-690-3729. This line handles LaPorte County tax payment processing and can confirm account status, current amounts owed, and payment history. It is a practical option for property owners who prefer to handle this by phone rather than online.
The online tools available through laporteco.in.gov allow LaPorte County property owners to search for tax bill information, view current and historical tax data for their parcel, and make payments. The county site serves as a central hub for these functions. Searches can typically be performed by parcel number, owner name, or property address. For properties in Michigan City, the City of LaPorte, or the surrounding townships, the same county-wide system applies. There is no separate city-level property tax system in Indiana; all LaPorte County parcels go through the county's unified system regardless of which municipality the property is located in.
The Indiana DLGF also maintains statewide property tax resources that complement what is available through the LaPorte County auditor's office.
The DLGF site at in.gov/dlgf provides the statewide rules, guidelines, and tools that govern how LaPorte County and all Indiana counties administer property taxes.
LaPorte County Property Assessments
All LaPorte County real property is assessed as of January 1 each year under IC 6-1.1-4. The county assessor values all parcels at 100% of market value. LaPorte County has a varied property base: residential neighborhoods in Michigan City and the City of LaPorte, lakefront properties along the county's chain of lakes, agricultural land in the more rural southern townships, and commercial and light industrial properties tied to the local economy. Each property type is valued under the appropriate state guidelines, with residential using sales comparison data and agricultural land using a productivity-based method.
When your LaPorte County assessed value changes, you will receive a Form 11 notice. This notice shows the new value and your options for appealing it. Under IC 6-1.1-35, you can file a Form 130 appeal with the LaPorte County Assessor. The LaPorte County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals (PTABOA) hears first-level appeals. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you can take the case to the Indiana Board of Tax Review. Contacting the assessor before filing formally is often a good first step, since some assessed value questions can be resolved without a hearing. You want to gather your evidence first, including recent sales of comparable properties if you are arguing for a lower value.
Deductions and Exemptions in LaPorte County
Several Indiana deductions can reduce the taxable assessed value of LaPorte County property under IC 6-1.1-12. The homestead deduction is the most common. It applies to owner-occupied primary residences and reduces the gross assessed value, with a supplemental homestead credit providing additional relief. Both benefits are applied once you have filed and qualified. You apply through the LaPorte County Auditor's Office. For exemption questions, contact Brandi Burger at bburger@laporteco.in.gov, extension 2483, at the auditor's office.
Additional deductions available in LaPorte County include the over-65 deduction for qualifying senior homeowners, the disabled veteran deduction, the mortgage deduction, and the blind or disabled person's deduction. These each have specific eligibility criteria under Indiana law. All deduction applications go through the LaPorte County Auditor at 219-326-6808. The general rule is that deductions need to be filed by December 31 of the year before the tax year in which they are to apply. If you own property in LaPorte County and have not checked whether you are receiving all the deductions you qualify for, contact the auditor's office. Some deductions can be missed for years without the owner realizing it.
Non-profit and religious organization exemptions are also handled by the LaPorte County Auditor but follow a different process from individual property owner deductions.
LaPorte County Tax Bills and Payment
LaPorte County property taxes are billed in two installments per year. Spring bills are due May 10 and fall bills are due November 10. This follows Indiana's standard two-installment schedule under IC 6-1.1-22. Bills go to the mailing address on file with the auditor. If your property address differs from your mailing address, keeping the auditor's records current is important so you receive your bills on time.
LaPorte County offers online payment through laporteco.in.gov and by phone at 1-877-690-3729. If you are paying late and want to know the exact amount due including penalties, use the phone line or contact the treasurer's office to get a current balance. Paying the original bill amount after the due date will not be sufficient if penalties have accrued. Always verify the current payoff amount with the county before sending a late payment on LaPorte County property taxes.
LaPorte County Tax Sales
Properties with unpaid LaPorte County taxes can be placed in a tax sale under IC 6-1.1-24. The LaPorte County Auditor manages the tax sale process. Delinquent parcels are listed publicly before the sale, giving owners the opportunity to pay and remove their property from the sale list. After a sale, the original owner has a redemption period to pay back taxes and associated costs to recover the property. If not redeemed in time, the certificate holder can petition for a tax deed.
If you have received notice about a pending tax sale on a LaPorte County parcel, contact the auditor's office at 219-326-6808 right away. Auditor Tim Stabosz and his staff can tell you exactly what is owed and what steps are required to resolve the delinquency before the sale date.
Cities in LaPorte County
LaPorte County includes Michigan City, which qualifies for its own property tax resource page. Michigan City is the largest city in the county and is served by the LaPorte County Auditor and Assessor for all property tax functions.
Nearby Counties
LaPorte County is located in northwest Indiana and shares borders with several neighboring counties, each maintaining separate property tax records through its own county courthouse and auditor's office.