When Are Property Taxes Due in Los Angeles County?

Property taxes are a significant financial obligation for homeowners in Los Angeles County. These taxes fund local public services, including schools and public safety. Understanding due dates is important to avoid penalties and meet financial obligations.

Key Property Tax Due Dates in Los Angeles

Los Angeles County operates on a fiscal year from July 1 to June 30. Annual secured property tax bills are typically mailed to homeowners in October. These bills are divided into two installments, each with distinct due and delinquency dates.

The first installment is due November 1. To avoid penalties, payment must be received or postmarked by the United States Postal Service (USPS) no later than December 10.

The second installment is due February 1 of the following calendar year. Payment must be received or postmarked by April 10 to avoid penalties. If a delinquency date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, it extends to the next business day. Property owners can pay both installments simultaneously when they receive their bill.

How to Pay Your Property Taxes

Property owners in Los Angeles County have several options for submitting tax payments. Online payment is available through the official Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector website. Payments using an electronic check (eCheck) from a checking account incur no service fee. Credit or debit card payments involve a service fee of 2.22% of the payment amount, with a minimum charge of $1.49 per transaction.

Mail Payments

Checks or money orders should be made payable to the “Los Angeles County Tax Collector.” Write the Assessor’s Identification Number (AIN) on the lower left corner of the payment and enclose the payment stub from the property tax bill. Mail payments to P.O. Box 54018, Los Angeles, CA 90054-0018. For a payment to be considered timely, it must be received or postmarked by the USPS on or before the delinquency date.

In-Person Payments

In-person payments are accepted at the Treasurer and Tax Collector’s main office: 225 North Hill Street, First Floor Lobby, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, cashier’s check, and major credit or debit cards. A service fee of 2.22% applies to credit/debit card payments made in person, with a transaction limit of $75,000. Telephone payments are also an option, accepting credit and debit cards with the same 2.22% service fee.

Understanding Penalties for Late Payment

Failure to pay property taxes by their delinquency dates in Los Angeles County results in penalties. If the first installment is not received or postmarked by December 10, a penalty equal to 10% of the unpaid balance is applied.

For the second installment, if payment is not received or postmarked by April 10, a penalty of 10% of the unpaid balance is imposed. An additional $10 cost is also added to the second installment penalty.

Continued delinquency can lead to more severe financial consequences. If the total payment for the current property tax year is not received or postmarked by June 30, any unpaid property taxes become “tax-defaulted” on July 1. Once taxes are tax-defaulted, additional penalties begin to accrue at a rate of 1.5% per month, along with a $15 redemption fee. This status can eventually lead to the property being offered for sale at a public auction if the defaulted taxes and penalties are not paid.

Accessing Your Property Tax Information

Homeowners can access their property tax information through the official Los Angeles County Property Tax Portal, available at propertytax.lacounty.gov or ttc.lacounty.gov. The portal provides a centralized location to view property tax obligations.

To locate specific property tax details, users can search by their Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) or the property address. The AIN is a unique ten-digit number assigned to each property by the Assessor’s Office and can usually be found on previous tax bills. Once the property is identified, the portal displays current and past bill amounts, payment status, and assessment details.

The online portal also allows property owners to view their payment history for the past three fiscal tax years. This feature is helpful for record-keeping and confirming that all payments have been successfully processed.