California property tax bills are due in two installments: the first half on November 1 and the second half on February 1
California splits property taxes into two payments each fiscal year. The first installment covers July through October and is due November 1. The second installment covers November through June and is due February 1. Both payments are considered late if received after the due date, and penalties begin to accrue when ready.
The exact due date matters because California counties charge penalties starting the day after the important date. A 10 percent penalty applies to any first installment payment received after November 1, and a 10 percent penalty applies to any second installment payment received after February 1. If you pay late, you will owe the penalty on top of the tax amount.
Your county assessor's office mails property tax bills in late August or early September. The bill shows both installment amounts, the due dates, and where to send payment. If you do not receive a bill, contact your county assessor directly — not receiving it does not extend the important date.
Key Takeaways
- First installment property taxes are due November 1 each year; second installment is due February 1.
- A 10 percent penalty is added to any payment received after the due date, calculated on the unpaid amount.
- You can pay by mail, online through your county assessor's website, or in person at the county tax collector's office.
- If you miss a important date, paying as soon as possible stops additional penalties from accumulating beyond the initial 10 percent.
- Property tax bills are mailed in late August or early September and show both installment amounts and payment instructions.
How to find your due date and bill amount
Your county assessor mails the property tax bill to the address on file for the property. The bill arrives between late August and early September and lists both the first and second installment amounts separately. The bill also shows the exact due date for each installment and the mailing address or online payment portal where you can submit payment.
If you have not received your bill by mid-September, contact your county assessor's office directly. You can find the assessor's phone number and website through your county government's main website. The assessor can confirm the amount owed and resend the bill if needed. Not receiving a bill does not delay the due date — the law treats the bill as delivered on the date the assessor mailed it, regardless of whether you actually received it.
You can also look up your property tax information online through your county assessor's website. Most counties allow you to search by address or parcel number and view the current bill, payment history, and due dates without logging in.
Payment methods and where to send money
California counties offer multiple ways to pay property taxes. The most common methods are mail, online payment through the county assessor or tax collector website, and in-person payment at the county tax collector's office. Some counties also accept payment by phone or through third-party payment processors, though these often charge a convenience fee.
Mail payments should be sent to the address printed on your tax bill. Include the bill stub or a copy of the bill with your check so the county can match the payment to your account. Mail payments take time to process, so send them at least one week before the due date to may support they arrive on time. Postmark date does not count — the county records the date the payment is received.
Online payment is the fastest method. Visit your county assessor's or tax collector's website and enter your parcel number or property address to access your bill. You can pay by bank transfer, debit card, or credit card. Credit card payments often carry a processing fee of 2 to 3 percent, so check the county's website before paying to see if a fee applies. Online payments typically post to your account within one business day.
In-person payments at the county tax collector's office are processed when ready. The office is usually located in the county courthouse or a separate government building. Hours vary by county, so check the website or call ahead before visiting.
What happens if you pay late
A 10 percent penalty is added to any property tax payment received after the due date. This penalty is calculated on the unpaid tax amount, not on the total bill. For example, if your second installment is $1,000 and you pay it on February 15, you owe $1,000 plus $100 in penalties, for a total of $1,100.
Additional penalties accrue if the bill remains unpaid. After 60 days past the due date, a 1.5 percent monthly interest charge begins. After five years of non-payment, the county can place a lien on the property and eventually foreclose. Paying as soon as possible after the important date stops the 10 percent penalty from being applied again, but the initial penalty cannot be removed.
If you believe the penalty was applied in error — for example, if the county's online system was down on the due date — contact the tax collector's office in writing with documentation. Some counties have discretion to waive penalties in cases of system failure or documented hardship, but this is not may provide and must be requested in writing.
Installment payment plans and hardship options
If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact your county tax collector's office to discuss options. Some counties offer installment plans that allow you to split the payment into smaller amounts over several months. These plans typically require a written request and may include interest charges, but they prevent the property from going into default.
California also has a Homeowner's Property Tax Postponement Program for homeowners age 62 or older, blind, or disabled. This program allows you to postpone property tax payments until the property is sold or transferred. You must meet income and property value limits, and the postponed taxes become a lien on the property. Information about this program is available through your county assessor's office.
If you are facing financial hardship, the county tax collector can explain what happens if you cannot pay and what options exist to avoid foreclosure. These conversations do not affect your legal obligations, but they may reveal programs or payment arrangements you were not aware of.
Paying property taxes on a rental or investment property
If you own rental or investment property in California, you receive a separate tax bill for each property. Each bill has its own due date — November 1 for the first installment and February 1 for the second installment — and each property is treated independently for penalty purposes. If you own multiple properties, missing the important date on one does not affect the others.
Many property owners set up automatic payments through their bank or the county's online system to avoid missing important date. This is especially useful if you own multiple properties or if the property is managed by a third party. You can also authorize your property manager or accountant to receive bills on your behalf by filing a power of attorney with the county assessor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I pay one installment but not the other?
Each installment is treated separately. If you pay the first installment on time but miss the February 1 important date for the second installment, only the second installment is subject to the 10 percent penalty. The first installment remains paid in full with no penalty.
Can I pay my property taxes online without a fee?
Most counties allow free online payment through bank transfer or direct debit. Credit card payments usually carry a 2 to 3 percent processing fee. Check your county assessor's website to see which payment methods are free and which charge a fee.
What if the property tax bill is sent to the wrong address?
The law treats the bill as delivered on the date the county mailed it, even if it went to the wrong address. The due date does not change. If you move, update your address with the county assessor as soon as possible so future bills reach you. You can also sign up for email notifications through the county's website.
Do I have to pay property taxes if I am disputing the assessed value?
Yes. You must pay the tax bill by the due date even if you are appealing the assessed value. If your appeal is successful and the value is lowered, the county will refund the overpayment. Failing to pay while appealing results in penalties and potential foreclosure.
Can the county extend the due date because of a natural disaster?
During declared emergencies or natural disasters, the Governor may issue an executive order extending property tax important date. This is not automatic — you must check your county assessor's website or call the office to confirm whether an extension has been granted. When extensions are issued, the county typically announces them publicly and sends notices to affected property owners.