California property taxes are due in two installments each fiscal year, with the first half due November 1 and the second half due February 1

California's property tax year runs from July 1 to June 30, but the bills themselves arrive on two different schedules. The first installment covers July through December and is due by November 1. The second installment covers January through June and is due by February 1. Both dates are firm important date — penalties and interest start accruing the day after each due date passes.

Your county assessor's office sends the bill (called a property tax statement) in the mail, usually arriving in late September or early October for the first installment. The second bill arrives in December or January. The amount you owe depends on your property's assessed value, which is set by your county assessor and typically increases no more than 2 percent per year under California's Proposition 13.

If you own property in California, you will receive a bill. If you do not receive one, contact your county assessor's office directly — not receiving a bill does not erase the debt, and penalties will still explore if you miss the important date.

Key Takeaways

  • Property taxes in California are split into two payments: the first installment due November 1 and the second due February 1 of each fiscal year.
  • Penalties of 10 percent are added to any payment made after the due date, and an additional 1.5 percent monthly interest accrues starting the month after the due date.
  • You can pay by mail, online through your county tax collector's website, in person at the assessor's office, or by phone in some counties.
  • If you miss a payment, your county can place a lien on your property and eventually foreclose, though this process takes time and involves multiple notices.

What happens if you pay late

A 10 percent penalty is added automatically to any payment received after the due date. This penalty applies to the amount owed, not to the entire bill — so if your second installment is $1,200 and you pay it on February 15, you owe the $1,200 plus a $120 penalty.

Beyond the penalty, 1.5 percent monthly interest begins accruing on the unpaid balance starting the month after the due date. This interest compounds, meaning you pay interest on the interest. If you owe $1,200 and do not pay until April, you owe the original amount, the 10 percent penalty, and two months of 1.5 percent interest.

If you are more than a few months behind, your county tax collector will send you a notice of delinquency. Continuing to ignore the debt can result in a tax lien being placed on your property, which makes it difficult to sell or refinance. After five years of non-payment, your county can begin foreclosure proceedings, though you will receive multiple notices and opportunities to pay before that happens.

How to pay your property taxes

Most California counties offer multiple payment methods. The easiest is usually online through your county tax collector's website — search "[your county name] tax collector" to find the payment portal. Online payments typically process within one to three business days, so pay a few days before the important date to be safe.

You can also pay by mail by sending a check to the address listed on your tax bill. Mail payments are risky because they depend on postal delivery time; the county considers a payment late if it arrives after the due date, not if you mail it before. Pay by mail at least one week early.

Some counties accept phone payments by calling their tax collector's office directly. A few also allow in-person payments at the assessor's office or county courthouse. Check your tax bill or your county's website for which methods are available in your area.

If you own property in multiple counties

Each county assesses and collects its own property taxes independently. If you own a home in Alameda County and a rental property in Kern County, you will receive separate bills from each county's assessor, and each has its own November 1 and February 1 important date. You must pay each bill on time to each county — paying one county does not affect your obligation to the other.

Set reminders for both important date if you own property in multiple places. Some people use a spreadsheet or calendar to track which bills are due when, especially if the properties are in different counties with different mailing schedules.

Homeowner exemptions and reductions

California offers a homeowner's exemption that reduces the assessed value of your primary residence by $7,000, which lowers your tax bill. You must file for this exemption with your county assessor — it does not happen automatically. The important date to file is typically the important date for paying your first installment (November 1), though some counties extend this. If you own your home and have never filed, contact your county assessor to see if you can still claim it for the current year.

Seniors, disabled people, and veterans may also be may be able to access for additional reductions or exemptions. These vary by county and have their own filing important date. Your county assessor's office can tell you which programs you might be may be able to access for and how to file.

What to do if you cannot pay on time

If you know you will miss a important date, contact your county tax collector before the due date. Some counties offer payment plans that allow you to spread the payment over several months, though you will still owe the 10 percent penalty. A payment plan does not erase the penalty, but it can prevent additional interest from accruing if you stick to the agreed schedule.

If you are facing financial hardship, some counties have hardship programs or can discuss options with you. These are not formal programs with set rules — they depend on your county's policies and the collector's discretion. Calling early gives you the best chance of working something out before the lien process begins.

If you have already missed a payment and received a notice of delinquency, you still have time to pay before foreclosure. Contact your county tax collector when ready and ask what you owe (original amount plus penalty plus interest) and whether a payment plan is possible.

Understanding your property tax bill

Your property tax statement shows the assessed value of your property, the tax rate, and the amount due. The assessed value is not the same as the market value — it is the value your county assessor determined for tax purposes, and it can only increase by up to 2 percent per year under Proposition 13, even if your home's market value rises faster.

The bill also lists any exemptions you have claimed (like the homeowner's exemption) and shows how much they reduce your tax. If you believe the assessed value is wrong, you can file a Proposition 8 appeal with your county assessor, usually within 30 days of receiving the bill. This is a separate process from paying your taxes and does not delay your payment important date.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I pay one installment but not the other?

Each installment is a separate debt. If you pay the first installment on time but miss the second, you owe the 10 percent penalty and interest only on the second installment. The first installment remains paid and does not affect your obligation for the second.

Can I pay my property taxes with a credit card?

Some counties accept credit card payments through their online portals, but most charge a processing fee of 2 to 3 percent. Check your county's website or call the tax collector to see if credit card payments are available and what the fee is. Paying by check or bank transfer usually has no fee.

Do I have to pay property taxes if I am renting out my home?

Yes. As the property owner, you are responsible for property taxes regardless of whether you live in the home or rent it out. Tenants do not pay property taxes — that is the owner's obligation. You can factor the tax bill into the rent you charge, but you cannot avoid paying it.

What happens if I inherit property in California?

You become responsible for property taxes on inherited property starting the next fiscal year (July 1). The county will send you a bill in the mail once the deed is recorded in your name. If you sell the inherited property, the assessed value may be reset to the current market value, which can increase your tax bill significantly.

Can I deduct California property taxes on my federal income tax return?

You may be able to deduct up to $10,000 in state and local taxes (including property taxes) on your federal return, depending on your filing status and other factors. This is a federal tax question, not a California one — speak with a tax professional or consult IRS publications for details on your specific situation.