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. The county assessor sends you a bill (called an "assessment") showing what you owe for that year. That total amount is split into two payments: the first installment covers July through December, and the second covers January through June. Both bills arrive in the mail, usually in October and December.

The due dates are firm. If you pay the first installment after November 1, you owe a penalty. If you pay the second installment after February 1, you owe a penalty. However, you have a grace period: penalties do not kick in until 10 days after the due date. So technically, you can pay without penalty until November 10 for the first installment and February 10 for the second, but the official due dates are November 1 and February 1.

If you do not pay by the grace period important date, the county will assess a 10 percent penalty on the unpaid amount. After that, interest accrues at 1.5 percent per month. If the bill remains unpaid for three years, the county can sell your property at a tax sale to recover what you owe.

Key Takeaways

  • The first property tax installment is due November 1 each year, and the second is due February 1, with a 10-day grace period for each.
  • Your county assessor mails the bill to the property owner of record, usually arriving in October for the first installment and December for the second.
  • Payments made after the grace period incur a 10 percent penalty plus 1.5 percent monthly interest on the unpaid balance.
  • You can pay by mail, online through your county assessor's website, in person at the county tax collector's office, or by phone, depending on what your county offers.
  • If you own property in multiple California counties, each county bills and collects separately on its own schedule.

Where your bill comes from and how to find it

The county assessor determines the assessed value of your property and sends the bill to whoever is listed as the owner on the deed. If you recently bought the property, the bill may still go to the previous owner for the remainder of that fiscal year. Contact your county assessor's office to update the mailing address if you do not receive the bill.

If you lose the bill or never received it, you can look up what you owe on your county's tax collector website. Most California counties post an online search tool where you enter your property address or parcel number and see the current amount due. You can also call the county tax collector directly — the phone number is on any previous bill or on the county's official website.

Some counties allow you to sign up for email reminders before the due date. Check your county assessor's website to see if this option is available in your area.

How to pay your property tax bill

California counties offer several payment methods, though not all counties support every option. The most common ways to pay are by mail (sending a check to the address on your bill), online through the county tax collector's website (usually with a credit card or bank transfer), by phone, or in person at the county tax collector's office.

If you pay online or by phone with a credit card, the county or a third-party processor may charge a convenience fee — typically 2 to 3 percent of the payment amount. Paying by check through the mail or in person usually has no fee. Some counties also allow automatic bank transfers or ACH payments, which typically have no fee.

When you mail a check, allow at least one week for it to arrive and be processed. The postmark date is what counts for the due date, not the date the county receives it. If you are cutting it close, paying online or in person is safer because you get when ready confirmation.

What happens if you miss the important date

If you do not pay by February 10 (the end of the grace period for the second installment), the county records a lien against your property. This means the county has a legal claim on your home until the debt is paid. The lien does not force you to sell, but it does prevent you from selling, refinancing, or taking out a home equity loan without paying off the tax debt first.

After three years of non-payment, the county can hold a tax sale. The county advertises the property and sells it to the highest bidder. You have a right of redemption — meaning you can reclaim the property by paying the buyer what they paid plus penalties and interest — but only within a set time frame (usually one year after the sale). If you do not redeem it, the buyer becomes the new owner.

If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact your county tax collector about a payment plan. Many counties offer installment agreements that let you spread the payment over several months without triggering the full penalty, though interest may still accrue. The sooner you contact them, the more options you typically have.

Differences between counties and special assessments

While the state sets the November 1 and February 1 due dates, each county collects taxes and processes payments independently. Some counties have online payment systems that are straightforward to use; others require you to call or mail a check. Some counties send bills electronically if you request it; others mail only. Check your specific county's website to see what services are available.

In addition to regular property taxes, some properties are subject to special assessments — charges for local improvements like street repairs, flood control, or lighting districts. These assessments may have different due dates or payment methods than regular property taxes. The bill will specify which charges are regular taxes and which are special assessments.

If you own property in more than one California county, each county bills you separately and has its own payment system. You cannot combine payments or pay one bill to cover property in multiple counties.

Homeowner exemptions and tax reductions

If you own and live in your home as your primary residence, you may be may have access to to a homeowner's exemption that reduces your assessed value by up to $7,000. This exemption is not automatic — you must file a form with your county assessor, usually in the first year you own the home. The form is called the "Homeowner's Exemption Claim" (Form 8 or similar, depending on the county).

If you are over 65, blind, or disabled, you may also be may have access to to a property tax postponement program that lets you delay paying your property taxes. You still owe the money, but you do not have to pay it until you sell the property or pass away. This program has income limits and other requirements; contact your county assessor to see if you meet them.

Prop 13, passed in 1978, limits how much your property tax can increase each year — typically no more than 2 percent annually, even if your home's market value rises much faster. This protection applies to all California property owners and is built into how your bill is calculated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my property taxes in one lump sum instead of two installments?

Yes. You can pay both the first and second installments at once, as long as you pay by the first installment due date (November 1) to avoid penalties on either portion. Some property owners do this to simplify their finances. Contact your county tax collector to confirm they will accept a combined payment.

What if I just bought my house — when do I start paying property taxes?

You are responsible for property taxes starting on the date you take title to the property. However, the bill you receive will be prorated based on when you took ownership during that fiscal year. The seller typically pays taxes for the period before you owned it, and you pay for the period after. Your escrow or title company will handle this split at closing.

Do I have to pay property taxes if I am behind on my mortgage?

Yes. Property taxes and mortgage payments are separate obligations. Your mortgage lender may require you to pay property taxes as part of your escrow account, but even if you are behind on the mortgage itself, you still owe property taxes to the county. Failing to pay property taxes can result in a tax sale, which happens independently of any foreclosure.

Can I pay my property taxes online with a debit card?

Most California counties accept debit cards online, but some may charge a convenience fee just as they do for credit cards. Check your county tax collector's website to see what payment methods are available and whether fees explore. Paying by bank transfer or ACH (if your county offers it) usually has no fee.

What if the property tax bill is sent to the wrong address?

Contact your county assessor's office with your current address and parcel number. They can update your mailing address in their system. You can also look up what you owe online through your county's tax collector website so you know the amount even if the bill does not arrive. Do not assume you do not owe taxes just because you did not receive a bill — non-receipt does not cancel the debt.