Treasurer Wall Art The Lake County Treasurer’s Office seeks to provide taxpayers with the best possible services to the meet continued and growing needs of Lake County.

The Office is best known by the public for issuing motor vehicle licenses and collecting property taxes. Property taxes account for the majority of the revenue in the county budget. The Treasurer is not only responsible for collecting property taxes for the county, but the city and school districts as well.

Motor vehicle fees and wheel taxes are also collected at the County Treasurer’s office. Motor vehicle collections are divided between the county, cities, townships, and the state of South Dakota.

The Treasurer’s office is also solely responsible and accountable for revenue collected by all other county offices. These funds are deposited with the County Treasurer’s Office and they are appropriated to the correct revenue account.

In addition to collecting taxes and other forms of revenue, the Treasurer assists senior and disabled citizen file applications for property tax relief and sales tax reductions. In conjunction with the State Departments of Revenue and Labor, the Treasurer issues distress warrants to the Sheriff in the event of non-payment of state sales taxes or unemployment insurance.

Property Tax Information:

First half property taxes are due April 30, second half are due October 31. Please bring your tax notices with you. Tax payments must be made for the exact amount only.

Tax payments may be sent to our office at 200 East Center St., Madison, SD 57042 and MUST be postmarked by April 30, and October 31 respectively. Please send your tax stubs to ensure proper credit to the correct parcels of land.

Please note: Payments received or postmarked after April 30 or October 31, respectively, will reflect a late fee and interest. Call the Treasurer's Office for an updated amount.

The Treasurer's Office also offers a drop box for property tax payments ONLY located between the double doors of the north entrance to the courthouse. Payments must include the payment coupon or parcel number with each payment and be in the exact amount only (all others will be returned). If you would like a receipt, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Payments dropped off after 4:30 p.m., M-F will be credited the following business day.

Search Property Tax Values in Lake County:

Motor Vehicle Information:

Please click here for information about the new Dignity License plate.

  • SD License Renewal Schedule

    Registration on commercial, non-commercial, trailers, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and boats are done on a staggered licensing system based on the first letter of the owner's last name or in the case of a business on the beginning letter of the business' name. Licenses are renewable up to 90 days before end of assigned month. Please bring renewal postcard, registration, or title for each vehicle you wish to license.Renewal months are as follows:

    • January: A, B
    • February: C, D, E
    • March: F, G, J
    • May: H, I, O
    • June: K, L
    • July: M, N
    • August: P, Q, R
    • September: S
    • November: T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

  • Registering a Recently Purchased Vehicle

    When registering a vehicle you have recently purchased, in-state vehicle owners must provide either their SD driver's license or Social Security number of all individuals to be placed on the title. Businesses must provide their FEIN#. A bill of sale is also required for all private party purchases.

    The current law requires you to remove your license plates when trading or selling a motor vehicle, trailer, motorcycle, or commercially licensed vehicle, and transferring those plates to a NEWLY ACQUIRED vehicle. HOWEVER, your plate SHOULD NOT be put on your new vehicle until you transfer your title and pay any appropriate fees to your county treasurer's office.

  • Selling a Vehicle

    If you sell a vehicle to another individual, business, company, etc., you will remove the plates and provide the new buyer with a seller's permit. This permit allows the new buyer to drive that vehicle for 45 days. These permits can be obtained free of charge from the treasurer's office or printed off the website, https://my605drive.sd.gov/tap/eservices/_/ and can be obtained when you know you are selling the vehicle.

  • Title Transfers

    Titles with open liens cannot be transferred or duplicate titles applied for. Liens are indicated on the front lower portion of the title and can be released at the Treasurer's office with the proper documentation.

  • Acceptable Payment Methods - Effective 9/1/17

    Cash
    Personal Checks (See exceptions below.)+
    Cashier's Checks
    Money Orders
    Credit/Debit cards (VISA, MasterCard, or Discover)++

    + No two-party checks, no counter/starter checks without pre-printed name and address, no out-of-state checks, and no checks with a personal mail box (PMB) will be accepted.
    ++Card processing fees are variable and will be added to your transaction.

  • Administrative Fee for Certain Title Applications - Effective 8/10/2020

    Effective August 10, 2020, the Lake County Treasurer's Office will charge an administrative fee of $25.00 for any application for certificate of title made pursuant to SDCL 32-3-18, SDCL 32-3A-20 and SDCL 32-3A-21 that is received and processed entirely by mail, with the exception of those applications that are received from insurance companies or dealers licensed in South Dakota. This fee is authorized pursuant to Resolution #2020-12 of the Lake County Commission.

  • Organizational Plates

    The State of South Dakota issues emblem specialty license plates. Vehicle owners with emblem specialty license plates can choose to purchase State approved emblems from a large number of entities to display on the license plate. Click here for more information about organizational plates. Click here for an approved sticker list.

Staff

Debra Walburg

Treasurer Send an Email

Erin Reinicke

Deputy Treasurer Send an Email

TK Harmdierks

Deputy Treasurer Send an Email

Contact Information

Main Office

Address:
Lake County Treasurer
200 E Center St
Madison SD 57042

Phone:
605-256-7618
Fax:
605-256-7624

Office Hours:
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monday – Friday (excluding Holidays)

Announcements

Plat Deadline 9/8
Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Complete Plats due for the 9/16/25 meeting
August - License Plate Renewal P/Q/R
Friday, August 1, 2025

Vehicle License plate renewal for vehicle owners with the FIRST letter in their LAST NAME that begins with P or Q or R.

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