The deadline for payment of the 3rd tranche of IMI property tax begins today.

November is the last month to pay property tax (IMI) for those who calculate it in installments.

Taxpayers with an IMI amount over €500 who did not opt for full payment in May can start paying the second installment of the tax from Wednesday.

IMI is an annual tax levied by municipalities on property owners in Portugal. IMI rates are set by municipalities between 0.3% and 0.45% (for urban buildings) and they can decide to join the family IMI, a mechanism that gives a discount to families residing or to apply higher rates for empty or demolished buildings.

For other taxpayers, the payment is split into two or three installments, which must be''paid in May and November or May, August and November, depending on whether the amount is between €100 and €500 or exceeds €500.

What happens if you don't pay? If you miss the IMI payment deadline, the Internal Revenue Service (AT) will issue a certificate of arrears and start tax enforcement. You'll have 30 days to pay the delay interest - in 2023, the delay interest rate for debts owed to the government is 5.997% - and the costs associated with the tax enforcement. You will also have to pay the remaining portions of the tax immediately. This is because under Section 120 of the IMI Code, if you fail to pay the tax, you lose your right to installment payments. If, after these 30 days of voluntary payment, you continue to delinquent, you risk''get a lien on your property. Or, if the house is not a permanent residence, it can even be sold by court order to cover the debt.

How do I pay the IMI? To pay the tax, you can go to an ATM or you can do it through online banking using the account number provided in the notice. In both cases, you need to select the 'Pay to State' option. You can also make the payment at the tax office, post office or bank. If you prefer not to miss this payment, you can use direct debit. To join this payment method, you must apply through the portal''Finanças. Once in the portal, select the 'Services' option, then 'Direct Debit' and finally 'Application for Connection'.