When are property taxes due, and when do late penalties apply?
For regular annual secured property taxes in San Diego County, the first installment is due November 1 and the second is due February 1. The usual last days to pay without late penalties are December 10 and April 10, respectively. If a delinquent date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day. Other bill types have different schedules, so check the dates printed on each bill.
Annual secured property tax installments
The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s official Secured Property Taxes page distinguishes the installment due dates from the deadlines for avoiding penalties:
| Installment | Due date | Usual last day without late penalty | Late charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | November 1 | December 10 | 10% penalty on the unpaid installment. |
| Second | February 1 | April 10 | 10% penalty on the unpaid installment, plus a $10 cost. |
The weekend and holiday extension applies to the delinquent dates above. Check the current bill and official payment instructions for the applicable cutoff for your payment method.
If secured taxes remain unpaid after June 30
Unpaid annual secured taxes become tax-defaulted after the fiscal year ends on June 30. Additional redemption charges apply, including a 1.5% monthly penalty and a $33 redemption fee under the published schedule.
Use the official bill lookup or contact Tax Collection for the current amount needed to pay a defaulted bill. The amount can change as additional charges accrue.
Supplemental and unsecured bills have separate deadlines
Supplemental bills are separate from annual bills. Follow their printed installment deadlines rather than automatically applying December 10 and April 10.
Many unsecured bills have an August 31 payment deadline, but the schedule depends on enrollment and bill type. Check the bill and the official Unsecured Property Taxes page for the applicable deadline and penalty schedule.
Check your bill and payment arrangements
Not receiving a bill does not remove the responsibility to pay on time. If yours is missing, see how to find your property tax bill online.
For mailed payments, follow the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s postmark instructions and allow sufficient time. For online payments, complete submission and save the receipt marked “Successful”; selecting a bill or adding it to a cart does not complete payment.
Penalty cancellation is available only in limited circumstances. Use the official Canceling Penalties instructions to request review. For questions about your bill or charges, call 877-829-4732.