After the sale is final, many homeowners use escrow accounts to manage their ongoing property taxes. Your escrow might also be covering a shortfall or projecting a higher tax bill.Escrow accounts are set up to collect property tax and homeowners insurance payments each month. Get information on property taxes that are included in escrow accounts. The buyer and seller both pay property taxes, due at closing. Generally, the seller will pay a prorated amount for the time they've lived in the space. It protects buyers and sellers during home sales, and it offers a convenient way for you to pay for your taxes and insurance. Escrow is a legal agreement between two parties for a third party to hold onto money or assets until certain conditions are met. If none of the taxes have been paid, the seller should be charged a prorated share with the amount placed in escrow. At settlement the money should move from one party to the other based on what has been deposited into escrow and when the actual bills are due.