Resolving a Double Payment of Property Taxes – Help Center

It can be a stressful moment when you realize both you and your mortgage servicer (through LERETA) have paid the same property tax bill. This is known as a Double Payment. Rest assured, this is a common administrative overlap, and there are clear steps to get your funds back.

Why Did This Happen?

Double payments usually occur during a "hand-off" period. Common scenarios include:

Recent Loan Closing: You paid taxes at closing, but the tax collector also processed a payment from your new servicer.
Missed Communication: You paid the bill manually because you weren't sure if your escrow account would cover it in time.
Exemption Delays: You paid a bill in full before a tax exemption (like a Senior or Homestead exemption) was officially applied.

How to Request a Refund

If you identify a double payment, follow these steps to initiate a recovery:

1. Verify Both Payments

Before reaching out, ensure both payments have actually been posted by the tax agency.

Check your mortgage escrow statement.
Check your personal bank statement or credit card history.
Visit your local County Treasurer or Tax Assessor website to view the payment history for your parcel.

2. Gather Your Documentation

To process a refund, LERETA or your servicer will require "Proof of Payment." This includes:

A copy of the front and back of your canceled check.
A bank statement showing the transaction (you may black out sensitive unrelated info).
The tax bill or parcel ID number.

3. Contact the Correct Party

Depending on who you want the refund from, your contact point differs:

The Tax Agency: Most tax collectors will automatically issue a refund to the second party who paid. However, some require a formal "Refund Request Form."
LERETA/Your Servicer: If you want the mortgage company to recover the funds and credit your escrow account, contact your servicer’s customer service department directly.

What to Expect Next

Once a double payment is confirmed, the refund process typically follows one of two paths:

Refund Type	Timeline	Result
Agency Refund	30–90 Days	The county mails a check directly to you.
Escrow Credit	1–2 Billing Cycles	The servicer recovers the funds and applies them back to your escrow balance.