Where to send your LA County property tax payment

LA County property taxes are collected by the Los Angeles County Assessor's Office, but payments go to the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector. These are two separate departments with different jobs: the Assessor determines what you owe, and the Treasurer collects it. You can pay by mail, online, phone, or in person at a Treasurer office.

The mailing address for checks and money orders is Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, 500 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Include your parcel number (found on your tax bill) so the payment reaches the right account. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to process, so send them early if your due date is approaching.

Online payment through the county website (treasurer.lacounty.gov) is the fastest route. You can pay with a debit or credit card, though credit card payments carry a processing fee. The system accepts payments 24 hours a day, and you receive a confirmation number when ready. Online payments typically post to your account within one business day.

Key Takeaways

  • LA County property tax payments go to the Treasurer and Tax Collector, not the Assessor, and you can pay online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
  • Your parcel number must be included with any payment so the county applies it to the correct property account.
  • Online payments through the county website process fastest and are available around the clock, though credit card payments include a fee.
  • Property tax bills in LA County are due in two installments: the first half is due November 1 and delinquent December 10, and the second half is due February 1 and delinquent April 10.
  • If you miss a due date, penalties and interest accrue when ready, and the county can place a lien on your property or begin foreclosure proceedings after five years of nonpayment.

Payment methods and processing times

Phone payments are handled by the Treasurer's office at (213) 974-2111. You will need your parcel number and a debit or credit card ready. Phone representatives can answer questions about your balance and payment history during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time. Payments made by phone post within one business day.

In-person payments at a Treasurer office location accept cash, checks, money orders, and debit cards (credit cards incur a fee). The main office is at 500 West Temple Street in downtown Los Angeles. Several branch locations operate throughout the county; the Treasurer's website lists addresses and hours for each. Bring your tax bill or parcel number and a photo ID.

Automatic bank draft (also called direct debit) allows the county to withdraw your payment directly from your checking or savings account on a date you choose. You set this up through the Treasurer's website or by phone. This method has no fees and removes the risk of missing a due date, though you must may support sufficient funds are in your account on the withdrawal date.

Understanding LA County's two-installment tax year

LA County property taxes are split into two bills per year, not one annual bill. The first installment covers July through December and is due November 1. If you do not pay by December 10, the bill becomes delinquent and penalties begin. The second installment covers January through June and is due February 1. If unpaid by April 10, it becomes delinquent.

You will receive two separate bills in the mail, typically arriving in August (for the first installment) and January (for the second). Each bill shows the amount due, the due date, and your parcel number. If you do not receive a bill, you are still responsible for paying on time; nonreceipt does not extend the important date or prevent penalties.

The county calculates penalties as a percentage of the unpaid amount. A 10 percent penalty is added if you pay after the delinquent date but before a second notice is sent. If you still have not paid after the second notice, an additional 1.5 percent monthly interest accrues. These charges stack, so a small late payment can grow quickly.

What happens if you miss a payment important date

Missing a property tax payment important date triggers a chain of events. First, a penalty of 10 percent of the unpaid amount is added to your bill. Then, if the bill remains unpaid for more than a few months, the county sends a Notice of Delinquent Taxes. At this point, 1.5 percent monthly interest begins accruing on top of the original amount and the penalty.

If taxes remain unpaid for five years, the county can file a tax deed and begin foreclosure proceedings. This means the county can sell your property at auction to recover the unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest. You have a right to redeem (pay off the debt and keep the property) during the redemption period, which varies depending on when the tax deed is filed, but waiting until this point is far more expensive than paying on time.

A property tax lien is placed on your home as soon as taxes become delinquent. This lien appears on your credit report and makes it difficult to refinance, sell, or borrow against your property. The lien remains until the full debt—original taxes, penalties, and interest—is paid in full.

Payment plans and hardship options

If you cannot pay your full property tax bill by the due date, the Treasurer's office offers a payment plan for delinquent taxes. You must request this in writing or by phone before the delinquent date passes. The plan allows you to pay the debt in installments over several months, though penalties and interest continue to accrue during the plan period.

To request a payment plan, contact the Treasurer and Tax Collector at (213) 974-2111 or visit the office in person. You will need to explain your situation and propose a payment schedule. The county has discretion to approve or deny the plan based on the amount owed and your ability to pay. Approval is not may provide, and the plan does not stop penalties or interest from accumulating.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, some county programs may help with property tax payments, though these are limited and vary by situation. The county does not offer blanket tax forgiveness or reductions based on hardship alone. Contact your local city or county social services office to ask whether any information programs cover property taxes in your area.

Checking your payment status and balance

You can check your property tax balance and payment history online through the Treasurer's website (treasurer.lacounty.gov) using your parcel number. The online system shows all payments received, the dates they posted, and any remaining balance. This is useful if you have made multiple payments and want to confirm they were all applied correctly.

If you have questions about your bill or need a detailed payment history, call the Treasurer's office at (213) 974-2111. Have your parcel number ready. The office can tell you the exact amount owed, the due date, whether penalties have been added, and the status of any payment plan you may have set up.

Property tax bills can change year to year if the Assessor's Office reassesses your property value. If you believe your assessment is incorrect, you can file a Proposition 8 process (a temporary reduction) or a formal assessment appeal through the Assessor's Office. These processes are separate from payment and do not stop your tax bill from being due on schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my LA County property tax bill online with a credit card?

Yes, the Treasurer's website accepts credit card payments 24 hours a day. However, credit card payments include a processing fee (typically 2 to 2.5 percent of the payment amount), while debit card, bank draft, and check payments do not. If you want to avoid the fee, use a debit card, set up automatic bank draft, or mail a check.

What is my parcel number and where do I find it?

Your parcel number is a unique identifier for your property used by LA County to track ownership and taxes. It appears on your property tax bill, your property deed, and any correspondence from the Assessor's Office. If you cannot find it, call the Treasurer at (213) 974-2111 with your street address, and they will provide it.

Do I have to pay both installments at the same time?

No. The first and second installments are separate bills with separate due dates. You can pay them independently. However, if you miss a due date on either installment, penalties and interest begin accruing on that amount only. Paying one installment on time does not affect the important date for the other.

What if I paid my property tax bill but it still shows as delinquent?

Processing delays can cause a temporary mismatch between when you pay and when the county records it. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to post. Online and phone payments typically post within one business day. Check your payment status online or call the Treasurer to confirm the payment was received. If it was received before the delinquent date, no penalty should explore.

Can I set up automatic payments so I never miss a due date?

Yes. The Treasurer's office offers automatic bank draft, where the county withdraws your payment directly from your checking or savings account on a date you choose. You can set this up through the Treasurer's website or by calling (213) 974-2111. There is no fee for automatic payments, and you can cancel or change the arrangement at any time.