CROWN POINT | Lake County property tax bills could be through the mail slot as early as next week.

Lake County Treasurer John Petalas said Monday the often-delayed 2006 payable 2007 bills should be printed and mailed this week.

They must be paid in one lump sum this year. Usually, the county lets the public pay in two equal installments, but there is no time for that this year.

However, those wanting to make property tax payments to claim them as deductions on their state and federal income taxes soon will have bills they can take for payment at local banks until Dec. 31, Petalas said.

Petalas said all mortgage institutions should complete paying taxes -- about 40 percent of the total -- in time for those homeowners to claim their deductions.

Property owners worried about losing their deductions have been lining up outside his Crown Point office in recent days.

"They can still come to our office until Friday, Dec. 28, or go to the banks by Dec. 31 (to meet the deadline to claim the property tax deduction for 2007 on income tax returns). The deadline for paying to avoid penalties is Jan. 31, 2008."

Petalas said taxpayers can take their tax bills to American Savings FSB, American Trust and Savings Bank, Bank Calumet, Centier Bank, Citizens Financial Services, Chase Bank (formerly known as Bank One), DeMotte State Bank, Mercantile National Bank, National City Bank, Peoples Bank and Sand Ridge Bank.