San Diego Property Taxes - It’s That Time of Year

November 11, 2007 Posted in For What Its Worth, Taxes 

Lest we forget, November 1st marks the date the first installment of property taxes are due. The dates tend to confuse many property owners, so below is some basic information about taxes for real property in San Diego County.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

July 1 - Beginning of fiscal year
January 1 - Unsecured bills mailed out; Lien date for unsecured taxes.
August 31 - Unsecured deadline. A 10% penalty is added.
September - Treasurer-Tax Collector mails out original secured property tax bills
November 1 - First installment is due (Secured Property Tax) and delinquent -unsecured accounts are changed additional penalties of 1½% until paid.
December 10 - First installment payment deadline. A 10% penalty is added after 5:00 p.m. *
February 1 - Second installment due (Secured Property Tax)
April 10 - Second installment payment deadline. A 10% penalty plus $10.00 cost is added after 5:00 p.m.*
May - Treasurer-Tax Collector mails delinquent notices for any unpaid, regular current taxes
June 30 - End of fiscal year
July 1 - Delinquent Secured accounts are transferred to delinquent tax roll and additional penalties added at 1- ½% per month on any unpaid tax amounts, plus $15.00 redemption fee

The following late payment penalties are required by California law:

  • A 10% penalty added 5:00 p.m. on December 10.*
  • A 10% penalty and $10.00 cost added after 5:00 p.m. on April 10.*
  • After the end of the fiscal year (June 30), a $15.00 redemption fee and a 1-½% per month (18% per annum) penalty is added on the unpaid tax amount.

Penalties can be reduced by paying any prior year back taxes or by initiating a five-year installment plan of redemption.
* If a delinquent date falls on a weekend or holiday, the delinquent date is the next business day.

Property taxes in San Diego County are collected by the San Diego County Treasurer and Tax Collector’s office and can be paid in person, by mailing in your payment, over the phone with a Visa card, and online at www.sdtreastax.com.

 

Comments

9 Responses to “San Diego Property Taxes - It’s That Time of Year”

  1. Terry Yarnell on December 26th, 2007 2:00 pm

    When I purchased my townhouse in June 2007, I received a n unexpected bill for reassessment tax, which I paid. Recently I received another property tax bill, which I can not locate, now. Should I be receiving another property tax bill so soon after just paying off one? And, if so, can I get another copy of the bill ?

    Terry Yarnell

  2. Bob on December 26th, 2007 5:54 pm

    Terry,

    You should have been told during escrow that you would receive a supplemental tax bill. This link from the County should explain it.

    The second bill you got was most likely the 1st installment of next year’s bill. It is due on November 1st and delinquent on December 10th. Here is the SD County Treasurer’s calender.

    .

  3. Annick on January 16th, 2008 5:21 pm

    Terry,
    I’m a first time home owner myself and I received an unexpected bill for reassessment tax myself, which I paid, not knowing what it was back in 2006. I then received my property tax bill, which I was late on because I didn’t know what it was. I was never told during escrow about a supplemental tax!
    I tried researching the reassessment tax and came across http://www.——-.com. Even though I ended up paying a penalty on my property tax because I was late, I used the service and got a VERY substantial refund which ended up covering my penalty plus much more. Being a homeowner for 2 years now, I definitely suggest this service to others who bought around the same time.

  4. Bob on January 17th, 2008 10:57 am

    The above comment was posted by the employee that answers the phone for the company that was referenced. I edited out the web site address. She may be a homeowner, but the comment is basically a lie.

    I let the comment through to help illustrate the various companies that exist to take money from unsuspecting homeowners. The services they offer for a fee can be done by the homeowner for free through the County Tax Assessor.

    I will do a follow up post on this and will list legitimate resources.

  5. John Hendry on February 12th, 2008 10:38 am

    I was wondering how I could view my paid tax bill for 2007? I went online & found no access to such opportunity. I paid my 2007 tax bill last October & received no receipt.
    Do you provide such items? In my previous state, we received such.

  6. Sheri on February 29th, 2008 1:32 am

    Bob,
    Are we taxed on the assessed value of the land and the dwelling combined? Since home values are plummeting here in San Diego, shouldn’t our assessments be lower hence our taxes be lower? If yes, than what do we do to challenge the Assessor’s numbers if the assessed taxes are higher than last year?

  7. Bob on March 27th, 2008 4:06 pm

    Sheri,

    Download this APPLICATION FOR REVIEW OF ASSESSMENT (PROP8) form and send it to the San Diego County Assessor office.

  8. Helen Klich on May 15th, 2008 3:47 pm

    I know I have paid my property taxes but I can’t find any record of it. I am disabled and was wondering if you could look this info up and email it to me.
    Three properties: 1005 Highland Dr., Del Mar, CA 92014; 736-738 Stevens Ave., Solana Beach, 92075 and 744-746 Stevens Ave., Solana Beach 92075

    Helen E. Klich
    1005 Highland Dr.
    Del Mar, CA. 92014

  9. Fred on June 4th, 2008 10:49 am

    I live in the San Elijo Hills area in San Marcos and bought my home for $955,000 in 2006. I had a company called California Tax Refunds do my property tax paperwork for the 2007 tax year and had an $185,000 reduction in my assessed value to $770,000. I received a refund check for around $2,000 and will continue to save that every year. I was a little skeptical at first but they are members of the BBB and are licensed Real Estate Appraisers and did a great job. I also liked the fact that they charge a flat fee. Give them a call, it’s worth it (858)-541-2400.

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