When Are Property Taxes Due in California?
California secured property taxes are paid in two installments. The first is due November 1 and delinquent after December 10; the second is due February 1 and delinquent after April 10. A 10% penalty is added after each delinquency date. These dates are set by California state law and are the same in all 58 counties.
The statewide due-date schedule
| Installment | Covers | Due | Delinquent after |
|---|---|---|---|
| First installment | July 1 – December 31 | November 1 | December 10 (5:00 p.m.) |
| Second installment | January 1 – June 30 | February 1 | April 10 (5:00 p.m.) |
An easy way to remember it
The four dates — November, December, February, April — spell “No Darn Fooling Around.” If a deadline lands on a weekend or legal holiday, it rolls to the next business day. Payments are credited by the date received or postmarked.
What happens if you miss a date
- 10% penalty on any installment not paid by its delinquency date (after December 10, or after April 10).
- Cost + monthly penalties after June 30. If the whole annual bill is still unpaid at the end of the fiscal year, the second installment also picks up a one-time cost (commonly $10–$40) and the parcel becomes tax-defaulted, accruing a redemption penalty of 1.5% per month (18% per year) on the unpaid amount.
- Tax sale after five years. California counties may sell property that remains tax-defaulted for five years (three for certain non-residential and blighted property) at public auction.
Other California property-tax deadlines
The November/December and February/April schedule applies to the annual secured bill. A few related dates are different:
- Lien date — January 1. Assessed value is set as of January 1 each year; that value drives the bill mailed the following fall.
- Homeowners' Exemption — February 15 for the full $7,000 exemption (late filings get a partial exemption).
- Supplemental bills (after a purchase or new construction) carry their own due dates, printed on the bill, based on the month they're mailed.
- Unsecured taxes (business property, boats, aircraft) are generally due August 31.
- Assessment appeals — the regular filing window is generally July 2 to September 15 or November 30, depending on the county.
Same dates in every county
Because the schedule is set by the California Revenue & Taxation Code, it does not vary by county — Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and Sacramento all use the same December 10 and April 10 delinquency dates. What differs is how you pay and what your parcel owes. Pay online or check your amount through your county:
- Los Angeles County property tax calculator
- San Diego County property tax calculator
- Sacramento County property tax calculator
- Property tax rate by county — find your county's rate and tax-collector links.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are property taxes due in California?
California secured property taxes are paid in two installments. The first installment is due November 1 and becomes delinquent after December 10; the second installment is due February 1 and becomes delinquent after April 10. The two dates are often remembered as 'No Darn Fooling Around' — November, December, February, April. These dates are set by state law and are the same in all 58 counties.
What happens if I pay California property tax late?
A 10% penalty is added to any installment not paid by its delinquency date (after December 10 for the first, after April 10 for the second). If the entire annual bill stays unpaid after June 30, the property becomes 'tax-defaulted' and additional costs and monthly redemption penalties (1.5% per month) begin to accrue. After five years of default the county can sell the property at a tax sale.
Can I pay my California property tax in one payment?
Yes. Although the bill is split into two installments, you can pay both at once. Many owners pay the full year with the first installment in the fall. Either way, the first installment must be paid by December 10 and the second by April 10 to avoid penalties.
What if the delinquency date falls on a weekend or holiday?
If December 10, April 10, or another deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, the deadline moves to the close of the next business day. Payments are generally credited by the date they are received or postmarked, so a payment postmarked by the deadline is on time even if it arrives later. Confirm the accepted cutoff with your county tax collector.
When are supplemental and unsecured property taxes due?
These follow different schedules. A supplemental bill (issued after you buy or complete new construction) has its own due dates printed on it, which depend on the month it's mailed. Unsecured property taxes (for example on a business or a boat) are generally due August 31. Only the annual secured bill follows the November/December and February/April schedule.
When are property taxes due in Los Angeles / San Diego / other counties?
The same statewide dates apply everywhere in California — Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, and all other counties: first installment delinquent after December 10, second after April 10. The schedule is set by California state law, not by the county, so it does not vary from one county to another. Only the payment methods and your specific parcel amount differ.
Learn More
California-specific educational overview, not legal or tax advice. The two-installment schedule and penalties come from the California Revenue & Taxation Code (§§ 2605–2701 and related) and the California Board of Equalization. Exact amounts, accepted payment cutoffs, and any weekend/holiday shift are confirmed by your county Treasurer-Tax Collector — check your bill before relying on a date.