When the Indiana General Assembly starts a new session this week the key issue grabbing headlines will be property taxes.

But many of you won't have to wait for lawmakers to pass a property tax relief plan to see some relief.

Bob Kincaid of South Bend has a Good Question: "Are plans still in effect for some type of rebate on our property taxes?"

WSBT's Kirk Mason found out the answer is yes, and it shouldn't be long before the checks will be in the mail.

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is proposing an increase in the sales tax as a way to lower what people are paying on property taxes. The governor hopes the General Assembly can get something done in time for homeowners to see relief on their May bill.

But many homeowners will actually see some relief long before May.

“We think there's a shot that they could be in the mail by the end of the month,” said Coleman.

St. Joseph County Treasurer Sean Coleman says this week the County Council is expected to pass an ordinance that addresses late taxpayers. Homeowners who are due a rebate check will lose the amount of that rebate they owe in late taxes.

After that the county can get ready to cut the checks which leaders hope will be in the mail before the end of January.

"Everything that I'm seeing through the County Treasurer's Association indicates that counties are expecting to mail these checks out either very late this month or early next month,” said Coleman.

These rebate checks are the result of property tax relief the Indiana General Assembly already passed. But you must have a homestead exemption credit on your home to qualify.

The St. Joseph County Auditor's Office isn't sure how much you'll get back on your rebate check.

Chief Deputy Auditor Cindy Bodle says they have to use a very complicated state formula.

She says most likely the higher the assessed value of your home the large your check.