Bob Watt - Jefferson County Treasurer

01/06/2026

I realize this is probably way too early to put this out there, but if you are in the habit of mailing your tax payments, you will need to mail your payment a couple of days earlier to get it here on time.
Plan accordingly.
FYI: Tax bills will likely be mailed in July this year.

12/06/2025

Check out my ride on Strava: https://strava.app.link/TuYOP33ASYb

12/04/2025

It was pretty chilly out there this morning, but that wasn't the worst of it. The wind was long about 12 mph which makes it really tough. But I did manage to get a little over 10 miles in this morning. Neither is a good chance to test out my winter gear to make sure everything is still working.

Check out my ride on Strava: https://strava.app.link/Lh3idoD8OYb

11/07/2025

We are approaching the end of the 2024 tax collection cycle. Certified letters will be mailed today to those that are delinquent as of October 31 (the day the file was prepared). The next late payment penalty (1.5%) will be added November 11.

The next item will be publication of delinquent taxes which will be in the newspaper on November 20. To avoid publication, the tax must be paid by November 13 when the file will be prepared to send to the newspaper.

The very last day to pay the tax (2024 real estate tax, and 2025 mobile home tax) before the tax sale is December 8 by 3:00 p.m. when the final tax sale list will be prepared.

10/08/2025

We received a 2nd installment tax payment from someone in the mail today. When we entered it, we saw that the 1st installment was unpaid. We would like to contact the person to let them know their 1st installment payment did not make it to our office, but there was no phone number on the check, so all we can do is enter the payment, and send them a letter "in the mail" in hopes that they receive it.

Please - write your phone number on your check before mailing it and then check your bank statement to make sure it has cleared. We deposit all checks the day we receive them or the next business day, so if your check does not clear your bank within a week, or two, there is likely a problem.

Better yet, pay online: payments.municipay.com/il_jefferson
It's safe, easy, and guaranteed to get to us.

E-Check payments are now FREE. Debit & Credit card payments have a 2.25% fee with a $2.00 minimum fee. Partial payments are allowed, but only when paying online; and the full amount due must be paid by the installment due date to avoid late payment penalties. Late payment PENALTIES MUST BE PAID - un...

10/07/2025

Friendly Reminder - the final installment of 2024 property tax is due Friday October 10. After the due date, a 1.5% per month late fee will be added to any unpaid balance.

Avoid postal delays - pay online at:

E-Check payments are now FREE. Debit & Credit card payments have a 2.25% fee with a $2.00 minimum fee. Partial payments are allowed, but only when paying online; and the full amount due must be paid by the installment due date to avoid late payment penalties. Late payment PENALTIES MUST BE PAID - un...

09/30/2025

For those wishing to pay property tax online, but do not have online access, we now have a public access computer in our office for the purpose of making online tax payments. Taxpayers may pay with the free e-Check option, or with a debit or credit card for a 2.25% fee (there is a $2.00 minimum fee).

For those wishing to pay their property tax in our office with a debit or credit card, you also may use the public access computer for that purpose. The same fees shown above apply.

Taxpayers will need to have a valid email address, or cell phone number in order to receive their payment confirmation.

09/29/2025

PROPERTY TAX DISTRIBUTION

Jefferson County Treasurer Bob Watt has announced the first distribution of 2024 real estate property taxes collected will be made on Thursday October 2, 2025. This distribution will be direct deposited into the accounts of the various taxing districts within Jefferson County. The taxing districts should see the deposits into their bank accounts no later than Friday October 3. The total amount being distributed at this time is in excess of $37,300,000 which represents approximately two-thirds of the total expected to be distributed this year, largely because many taxpayers have already paid their second installment of taxes due. The second installment is due October 10.

For those interested in a detailed explanation of the tax distribution, a full report is available on the Treasurer’s page of the County website – jeffersoncounty.illinois.gov. Once there, select departments, then Treasurer/Collector, then select the page entitled Tax Distribution Reports. There you will find information regarding the current year, and several prior year tax distributions. Anyone with questions regarding the distribution of property taxes may contact the County Treasurer’s office by calling 618-244-8010.

09/17/2025

We are hearing reports from County Treasurers all across the state about USPS issues, and complaints from taxpayers because their mailed in payments are arriving late (or not at all) and then find themselves having to pay late fees as a result. Once again, I wish to caution taxpayers about trusting the mail with your payments.

If you really want a fast and secure payment method without paying in person, please use the online payment option. It is quick, easy, and secure. If you provide an email address, you will receive a confirmation email immediately. While you are there making your current payment, go ahead and set yourself up for automated payments - that way your future bills will be paid on time every time, and you will never risk a late payment penalty. Sign up today:

E-Check payments are now FREE. Debit & Credit card payments have a 2.25% fee with a $2.00 minimum fee. Partial payments are allowed, but only when paying online; and the full amount due must be paid by the installment due date to avoid late payment penalties. Late payment PENALTIES MUST BE PAID - un...

09/10/2025

Tips for Taxpayers: If you have made a partial payment of your first installment of property tax, the unpaid balance needs to be paid today (September 10) to avoid a late payment penalty. The penalty is calculated on the unpaid balance, and the penalty rate is 1.5% per month.

09/08/2025

Tips for Taxpayers: Scan the QR code on your tax bill with your phone to pay the tax online. Just open your phone’s camera, point at the QR code, then tap the link. The amount currently due will appear; you can select to pay the 2nd installment as well if you wish, then tap the blue “Pay” button to add it to your cart. Enter your preferred payment method, and submit your payment.

09/05/2025

Tips for Taxpayers: When paying online, it takes a few days for everything to process, but you will receive a confirmation email with a confirmation number. From the date of payment, it takes two business days for the deposit to land in our account, then another business day for the file to be updated online. You will be able to see that your payment was posted at jeffersonil.devnetwedge.com once the processing is completed, and the date you submitted the payment will be the paid date on your bill.