Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas today unveiled a Polish-language video that explains how to use a new Payment Plan Calculator, a free online financial planning tool.

The Polish-language tutorial may be viewed alongside English- and Spanish-language versions of the video that have been available since July 29, when Pappas and community leaders discussed the Payment Plan Calculator at a news conference.

“This tool is for everyone,” Pappas said. “It is designed to help you create a budget so you can fully pay off your late taxes before the Annual Tax Sale.”

Polish — along with English, Spanish and Mandarin — is among the most commonly spoken languages in Chicago, according to Census data.

The calculator is designed to help those at risk of having their past-due taxes sold at the county’s Annual Tax Sale, an auction of unpaid property taxes. The Annual Tax Sale occurs about 13 months after the Second Installment due date, which this year is Thursday, Aug. 1.

Taxpayers may sign up to receive email or text message notifications reminding them to make the monthly or biweekly payments recommended by the Payment Plan Calculator.

People unable to pay their taxes in full by the due date face additional interest charges of 0.75% per month, effective with 2023 taxes due in 2024. Late taxes that were due in 2023 and earlier years are charged interest at a rate of 1.5% per month.