Every property owner and business in Wyoming must watch tax due dates for real property, motor vehicle registration, and personal property filings. The county clerk and county treasurer rely on accurate records, timely mail notices, and paid receipts to determine outstanding debt. Suppose you fail to submit taxes or registration fees by the filing date. In that case, you become subject to delinquent taxes, and the county treasurer can certify a lien and initiate sale proceedings on your real or personal property.
Wyoming statutes under Title 39 authorize the Wyoming Department of Revenue and county authorities to assess penalties, interest, and costs when taxes remain unpaid. Once taxes are delinquent, interest accrues at eighteen percent per annum, and you may face additional fees and penalty requests. A certified tax lien attaches to your tangible property until the debt is paid in full, including accrued interest, costs, and any lien purchaser fees.
These enforcement actions are authorized by Wyoming law and documented via official forms signed by the county clerk or Department of Revenue officials. To protect your ownership rights and credit, contact the department early and consider legal counsel. An attorney can provide legal advice on installment payment agreements, document requests, appeal provisions, and how to transfer or redeem property before issuing a certificate of sale.
Wyoming real property taxes are assessed in two equal installments: the first installment is due on September 1 (payable by November 10), and the second is due on March 1 (payable by May 10). No interest or penalty applies if the total levy is paid on or before December 31. After each payable date, any unpaid balance becomes subject to delinquent taxes and accrues interest at eighteen percent per annum. At that point, the county treasurer may mail reminder notices days before enforcement and, if the debt remains unpaid, certify a lien against your real or personal property.
Businesses must collect sales and use taxes and file returns to remit payment by the last day of the month following the reporting period. Failure to meet this filing date. This situation immediately triggers delinquency, and the Department of Revenue may impose penalties, interest, and additional fees. Taxpayers who remain well over one hundred fifty days delinquent appear on a public list of uncollected delinquencies; continued nonpayment can lead to liens purchased by third parties or revocation of business licenses.
Under Wyoming Statute 39‑13‑108(b)(iii), taxes become delinquent when the taxpayer—or any person acting on their behalf—“knew or reasonably should have known” of an outstanding liability not paid by the due date. This provision burdens property owners and business operators to maintain accurate records, secure paid receipts, and track all mail and notice provisions published in a legal newspaper. Ignorance of these statutory requirements is not a valid defense, and you may require legal counsel if you need to request relief or appeal enforcement actions.
The process begins when the county assessor determines the assessed value of your real property or when the Excise Tax Division calculates your sales, use, or mineral production tax liability under Wyoming statutes. You then receive a notice of the assessment or assessment schedule by mail, which includes the original certificate amount due, the due date for payment, and instructions on submitting payment forms to the county treasurer’s office. These documents satisfy the statutory notice provisions in Title 39 of Wyoming law.
Suppose your payment is not paid by the filing date. In that case, the county treasurer sends reminder notices days before enforcement, outlining the outstanding balance, accrued interest at eighteen percent per annum, and any additional fees or penalty costs. Continued non‑payment of these delinquent taxes allows the treasurer to certify a lien against your tangible or personal property. Reminder letters typically arrive in three consecutive weekly mailings following the due date to ensure you have multiple opportunities to arrange payment.
When reminder notices go unanswered, the Department of Revenue or county treasurer issues a demand for payment form, explaining that failure to pay or to request an installment plan will result in enforcement actions. A subsequent Notice of Intent informs the taxpayer—whether a property owner or business operator—that the county clerk and the department can file a tax lien, garnish wages from an account, levy bank funds, or seize and sell property. This notice provides a final opportunity to pay the debt, redeem liens already purchased at a tax sale, or seek legal counsel before issuing a certificate of sale.
When delinquent taxes remain unpaid past the due date, the Department of Revenue may issue a garnishment order to your employer, requiring a portion of your wages to be sent directly to the state. Under Wyoming law and federal provisions, the order must be mailed by the county clerk at least thirty days before implementation and includes a form specifying exempt amounts. A taxpayer can negotiate an installment payment agreement with the county treasurer to forestall garnishment and avoid additional costs or penalty interest.
Under Title 39 of Wyoming statutes, a tax lien attaches automatically to any real property or personal property assessed and remains until the debt is fully paid. Once the county treasurer certifies, the lien becomes public record and may affect your credit or ability to transfer or sell the property. Certificate holders who purchase liens at auction gain authority to collect unpaid principal, accrued interest at eighteen percent per annum, and statutory redemption fees. Property owners may contact legal counsel or the Department of Revenue to request relief or explore installment options before a lien purchaser applies for a tax deed.
If taxpayers fail to pay delinquent taxes, the Department of Revenue can levy financial accounts held at banks or other institutions. The county clerk’s office serves notice of levy—detailing the assessed debt, interest, and fees—by mail days before action. Certain funds, such as Social Security or veterans’ benefits, remain exempt under Wyoming law. Property owners should provide paid receipts and request hardship consideration from the county treasurer’s office to prevent account freezes or seizure of company or personal checking accounts.
If all other notices and demands are ignored, the county treasurer may seize personal property through distraint and auction it to satisfy unpaid taxes. Wyoming law requires advertising a tax sale in a legal newspaper for three consecutive weeks before the sale date for real property. Parcels are listed with assessment details, lien amounts, and sale dates. Attending purchasers bid on certificates; the highest bidder obtains a certificate of purchase and may later apply for a tax deed if the owner does not redeem by paying back taxes, interest, and associated costs.
The Department of Revenue also has authority to offset state disbursements—such as tax refunds, loan proceeds, or credits—against delinquent tax liabilities without additional notice. Once the offset request is processed, any refund or payment due to the taxpayer is applied toward the unpaid debt, reducing the amount owed and avoiding further enforcement actions. Property owners and businesses should review their payment records regularly and contact the department immediately if an unexpected offset appears on their account.
Wyoming statutes authorize the Department of Revenue to coordinate the enforcement and collection of state taxes through several specialized divisions. The Property Tax Division works with county assessors and treasurers to issue tax receipts, manage taxpayer records, and enforce delinquent taxes. The Excise Tax Division oversees taxes collected on Wyoming businesses' sales, use, lodging, and cigarette transactions. At the same time, the Mineral Tax Division handles production taxes assessed on energy and mineral extraction. Each division has the legal authority to initiate collection actions, track unpaid accounts, and enforce penalties as provided under Wyoming law.
When taxes remain unpaid beyond their due date, delinquent taxes accrue interest at eighteen percent per annum, as defined in Wyoming statutes. Additional penalties apply when a person fails to file returns or pay amounts owed. These penalty costs vary depending on the type of tax and may range from a standard user fee to thousands of dollars for noncompliance. All assessed interest and penalties are documented in your tax account and added to the total balance owed. Taxpayers who fail to address these debts may face further enforcement actions, including liens, bank levies, and property sale proceedings.
The Department of Revenue’s authority includes verifying filing dates, mailing official notices, and managing collected payments across multiple counties. In cooperation with local offices, including the county clerk and treasurer, the department ensures that proper procedures are followed to update ownership, registration, and account details. Suppose a taxpayer remains liable for unpaid amounts. In that case, the department may issue demand forms or allow the taxpayer to contact legal counsel and request payment arrangements or relief under applicable provisions of Wyoming law.
Wyoming Statute 39-11-102(a) guarantees taxpayers the right to clear information from the department, confidentiality of records, and relief from penalties if based on erroneous written advice from the state. You are entitled to enter into installment agreements and to appeal assessments.
To contest a property assessment, file a written protest with your county assessor within 30 days of the assessment schedule date. Your case moves to the County Board of Equalization, then to the State Board of Equalization, and finally to the district court if necessary. Appeals require submitting evidence within specified timeframes.
If you paid taxes later determined to be erroneous or illegal under Wyoming statutes, you may file a refund claim with the county treasurer’s office within one year of the payment date. Once the county recovers the amount from state funds, the treasurer issues or returns paid receipts to the property owner. These specific statutory refund provisions ensure the Wyoming Department of Revenue cannot improperly retain uncollected property taxes.
Under Wyoming statutes, a property owner or business may request an installment payment agreement when a lump-sum tax payment would cause severe financial strain. To initiate the process, contact your county treasurer or the Department of Revenue and submit a written form detailing the total debt, proposed payment dates, and a hardship justification. Once authorized, the agreement can halt further enforcement of delinquent taxes, shielding the account from garnishment, lien, or tax sale. Timely filing of all required documents and consistent payment according to the agreement helps avoid additional interest, penalty fees, or adverse credit impacts.
While the hardship status” is not explicitly defined under Wyoming law, the Department may grant temporary enforcement delays if a taxpayer provides sufficient documentation. Financial hardship can be demonstrated with income statements, personal property valuations, account balances, and monthly expenses. The department may then determine whether to delay collection or allow more time for payment. Owners facing lien actions, motor vehicle registration issues, or property seizure should act promptly and may wish to contact legal counsel to request relief under statutory provisions and avoid added costs or loss of ownership rights.
Wyoming provides tax relief programs for qualifying low-income homeowners, including state-funded and county-optional refund options. Veterans may also be eligible for exemptions on assessed real property. Property owners must submit their request to the county treasurer by the established filing date and include any supporting documents required by law. If a property is sold at a tax sale, redemption is still possible. The owner may redeem the property by paying the delinquent taxes, interest at eighteen percent, and all redemption fees before the certificate holder files for a tax deed. The redemption period often extends up to four years after the date the certificate is purchased.
Reach out early to discuss payment options. Early contact helps you understand statutory notice requirements and accepted methods for paying subsequent year taxes. These steps can prevent a county’s tax lien from attaching to your tangible property.
Track payable dates in your local legal newspaper and manage notification subscriptions through the treasurer’s office. Staying on top of payment dates for property, sales, and mineral taxes keeps you off the public list of delinquents. This proactive monitoring helps you secure paid receipts and avoid accumulating interest at the same rate.
Under Wyoming statutes, you may propose an installment agreement if a lump-sum payment causes severe inconvenience. Submit your hardship documentation and payment schedule to the county treasurer’s office to pause enforcement actions. Early setup can delay an annual tax sale and save you from paying hefty redemption fees.
Familiarize yourself with the overall tax sale process, including how the county sells delinquent liens at auction. To redeem taxes sold, pay the delinquent amount, accrued lien purchaser interest, and the statutory redemption fee before a purchase holder files for a tax deed. Acting promptly protects your ownership rights and prevents issuance of an unwanted certificate of purchase.
Maintain organized records of all tax receipts, paid receipts, and returned receipts from the treasurer’s office. Accurate documentation strengthens your position if you need to answer questions about your liability or appeal an assessment. Well-kept records also streamline payments through accepted methods and reduce the risk of liens purchased by third parties.
Consult a qualified advisor when navigating specific statutory provisions relating to lien perfection, tax deed issuance, or mineral tax collection. Expert guidance ensures you follow Wyoming statutes correctly and protects you from pitfalls in the buyer-beware market. Professional advice can be invaluable in complex situations and during the annual tax sale.
Property taxes in Wyoming are paid in two installments, with due dates on November 10 and May 10. If the full balance is not paid by the filing date, the unpaid amount becomes delinquent and begins to accrue interest at eighteen percent per annum under Wyoming statutes. Once delinquent, the county treasurer may initiate enforcement actions, including filing a lien and listing the property owner on the delinquent taxpayer records.
If your real property remains unpaid and subject to a certified lien, the county treasurer may authorize the public sale of that lien at auction. The highest bidder receives a certificate of purchase, which gives them the right to request a tax deed if the property is not redeemed. This resale process is governed by Wyoming law and allows the certificate holder to collect costs, interest, and fees from the original property owner before full ownership can transfer.
To redeem property after a tax sale, you must pay the delinquent taxes, accrued interest, and redemption-related fees directly to the county treasurer within the allowed statutory period. This redemption period usually lasts up to four years after purchasing the certificate. Once paid, the treasurer will issue or return official receipts, and you will retain legal ownership of the property.
If you fail to pay your assessed taxes, the Department of Revenue may garnish wages as an enforcement method. A garnishment order is sent to your employer, and it must follow federal and Wyoming wage withholding limits. The department must provide notice days before the garnishment and may allow the taxpayer to contact them to request a payment plan or offer legal advice before collections escalate.
A certificate of purchase is issued to a person or company that successfully bids on a tax lien at a public sale. The certificate confirms that they now hold a lien on the real property. Under Wyoming statutes, if the original property owner does not redeem the lien by paying all back taxes, interest, and penalties, the certificate holder may file for a tax deed, which transfers legal ownership.
Wyoming law gives property owners and taxpayers the right to propose installment payment agreements through the county treasurer or the Department of Revenue. If a lump-sum payment would cause hardship, you may submit a written request along with your proposed payment schedule and supporting financial documents. Once approved, this agreement form may pause actions such as bank levies, wage garnishments, or property seizure.
Under Wyoming statutes, any person disputing their assessment must file a written protest with the county assessor within thirty days of the mailing date listed on the assessment notice. You can file an appeal with the State Board of Equalization or the district court after the County Board of Equalization reviews your protest. You can present documentation, request adjustments, and seek legal counsel.
Wyoming offers state and county-optional property tax refund programs for qualifying low-income homeowners. Veterans may also be eligible for property exemptions under state law. To apply, submit a completed request form with supporting documents to your county treasurer’s office before the deadline. If approved, you may receive a refund or credit toward assessed taxes owed on your real property.