Hoo-wee! Looks like the county is on its game this year! Bills for property taxes and real estate taxes have arrived already, not due until December.

As I organized "the stack" here at the desk, I wondered what others think in this situation and why.
I know what I'll do, but how would you guys and gals approach it?

Question:
When would you choose to pay, and why?

Choices:
Pay it now. It's a liability, be free of it!
Wait seven weeks! Why let someone else use my money for that time?
Some even better approach?

 

I’d wait 9 weeks.
The only time I try to be early with govt entities is when I’m getting a tax return.

I'd like to say I have a Dave Ramsey style kungfu approach to it, but I pay it as soon as I see it. Or else, I run the risk of forgetting it and it not getting paid. Most of my bills are direct pay, or I get paid and make a couple of stops on payday to knock them out before they are due.

Stuff that isn't regular, it gets paid as soon as it is seen.

I pay everything via my bank web-bill pay. They either pay directly electronically or mail a bank check.

If it's not due for weeks, I enter it and program it to be paid 3-5 business days early.

quote:

Bill's not due for two months.

Pay it in two months.

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
I pay everything via my bank web-bill pay. They either pay directly electronically or mail a bank check.

If it's not due for weeks, I enter it and program it to be paid 3-5 business days early.

Same here, scheduled bill pay.

I e-pay the moment I get the bill, lest I forget. It’s money I owe, delaying it serves no purpose to me.

As per scheduled bill pay. Some governmental agencies here will not take bill pay. They need a copy of the invoice along with a check or money order.

Pay it on the due date.

Our property taxes come with a prorated discount the earlier you pay so I pay it.

In Jefferson County, Kentucky, the property bill is mailed out on/about November 1. You get a 2% discount off the full amount if paid by November 30; full amount due by December 31; and then the penalties begin if late.

I haven't seen any bills that get cheaper as you wait.

Hey where's the member who always says "hookers and blow"?

I would enter it into my bill pay service today to be paid on the due date.

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
I pay everything via my bank web-bill pay. They either pay directly electronically or mail a bank check.

If it's not due for weeks, I enter it and program it to be paid 3-5 business days early.

Bingo! we have a winner! I do the same

quote:

Originally posted by smithnsig:
Our property taxes come with a prorated discount the earlier you pay so I pay it.

+1

quote:

Bills for property taxes and real estate taxes have arrived already, not due until December.

Ours are coming in as well, but aren't past due until the first day of March. We, like virtually everyone I know, always pay them the week before that. No benefit here for early payment. Much like overpaying income tax to get a refund... paying it 5 months early amounts to an interest free loan to the county and city.

The longer you keep the money, the more valuable it becomes.

Clear datum ASAP

I do it like Rhino, bank (USAA) allows scheduling a payment for a specific date. I try to pick a date a week or so in advance of the due date so as to avoid late fees, and other inconveniences.