Prepayment Plan Frequently Asked Questions

When making a prepayment, will I receive a receipt for each of my payments?

If you would like a receipt, please complete the information on the Prepayment Plan Sign-Up page.

How can I make a prepayment?

There are many payment methods:

• Check payments may be mailed to the DuPage County Treasurer’s Office at 421 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187. 
• Cash, check, credit card and debit card payments may be made in person at the DuPage County Treasurer’s Office.
• Online payments may be made through your bank’s online bill payment program.

What credit cards are accepted for prepayments?

MasterCard, Visa and Discover. The credit card processor does add a convenience fee of 2.10%. No amount of that fee is retained by DuPage County.

May I make a prepayment at any bank that would accept a tax payment?

No, all forms of prepayments will be accepted only at the DuPage County Treasurer’s Office at 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187.

How many prepayments may I make?

You may send or make as many prepayments as you need to ensure the total tax amount of each installment is paid on time and for the full amount due.

How much should I send?

Since the goal is to pay enough to cover each installment amount, we suggest adding 5% to the total of last year's amount. Divide that amount by the number of payments you want to make and send in that payment. After you receive the actual 2021 tax bill, you may readjust your amount accordingly. The full amount of the tax owed must be paid by each due date to avoid a late payment penalty charge.

If I want to send monthly or periodic prepayments, how can I calculate how much each payment should be?

• The actual 2021 real estate tax amounts will not be available until April 30, 2022. You may, however, estimate the amount by using a 5% increase of your prior year's tax as a guide. Simply take that amount and divide it by the number of payments you wish to make.
• Formula . . . Multiply your 2021 tax by 1.05 to determine an estimate of your 2021 tax. Decide on how many payments you would like to make and divide the 2021 estimate by that number. This will determine your monthly payment.
• For example . . . if your 2021tax was $4,000, multiply that by 1.05 to get an estimate of $4,200 for the 2021 tax. If you plan on sending a monthly payment from December to August (a total of 9 months), divide $4,200 by 9 to determine a monthly payment of $467.
• Another example . . . You would like to make 4 payments between December and August. Divide the $4,200 estimate by 4 to determine a periodic payment of $1,050.

May I prepay an entire installment or both installments at one time?

Yes, if that is more convenient.

What happens if I cannot make additional payments?

Nothing.  The prepayment plan was established to help you save for your next tax payment.

May I send in prepayments in different amounts?

Yes, you control the amounts sent and when.

If I need the money in my prepayment plan for something else before taxes are billed/due, may I take the money out?

No, once the money is deposited in your prepayment plan it remains until the taxes are paid.

May I make prepayments in person at the Treasurer’s Office?

Yes, payments may be made in person at our office Monday through Friday, 8:00 am– 4:30 pm, or through the mail if your payment option is to pay by check.

Where should I send the prepayment?

DuPage County Treasurer
421 N County Farm Rd
Wheaton IL 60187
Attn: Prepayment Program

If one of my prepayments is returned unfunded, how will the $25 return item fee be assessed to me?

$25.00 of your next payment will be applied to the return item fee and the balance of the payment will be applied toward your tax.

When taxes are billed, what happens if I do not have enough money in my prepayment plan?

• Tax payments made after the due dates incur a state-imposed 1.5% monthly interest late payment penalty on the unpaid balance.
• Continue to make your payments. When there is enough to pay a full installment (plus interest and penalties if applicable), that amount will be used to pay your taxes; a statement showing your balance will be sent to you. If the balance in your payment plan is not sufficient to satisfy a full installment, the funds will not be applied to your taxes.

If there is a surplus in my prepayment plan after the tax payment is applied, what happens to that money?

Once both installments (and applicable penalty charges) have been paid, any overpayment will be refunded to you.

Will I earn interest on the funds being held in my prepayment plan?

No.