How to Pay Your Los Angeles Property Tax Bill
Where to send your Los Angeles property tax payment
Los Angeles County property taxes are collected by the Los Angeles County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, and payments go directly to them, not to your city or the state. You can pay online through their official website, by mail, in person at their office, or through an automatic payment plan. The county processes payments year-round, but property tax bills in Los Angeles County are typically mailed in November and December for the fiscal year that runs July 1 to June 30.
Online payment is the fastest route: you can pay immediately through the county's website using a debit card, credit card, or bank account transfer. If you pay by mail, send your check or money order to the address printed on your bill—usually the Los Angeles County Tax Collector's office. Payments by mail typically take 7 to 10 business days to post to your account after arrival. In-person payments are accepted at the Tax Collector's office in downtown Los Angeles and at regional payment centers, though hours vary by location.
The payment deadline for the first installment is usually November 30, and the second installment is due February 28. If you miss either deadline, a 10% penalty is added immediately, and additional penalties accrue monthly. A lien can be placed on your property if taxes remain unpaid for five years.
Key Takeaways
- Los Angeles County property taxes are collected by the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, and you pay them directly to the county, not your city or the state.
- The first installment is due November 30 and the second is due February 28; missing either deadline triggers a 10% penalty plus additional monthly charges.
- Online payment through the county website is the fastest method and posts immediately, while mail payments take 7 to 10 business days.
- You can set up an automatic payment plan so the county withdraws your property tax payment from your bank account on a schedule you choose.
- If you cannot pay in full, the county offers payment plans and may have programs for seniors, disabled persons, or those experiencing financial hardship.
How to pay online or set up automatic payments
The Los Angeles County Tax Collector's website has a payment portal where you enter your parcel number (found on your tax bill) and pay immediately. You will need a debit card, credit card, or bank account information. Credit and debit card payments may carry a processing fee, typically 2% to 3% of the amount paid, though this varies by payment processor. Bank account transfers (ACH) usually have no fee or a flat fee under $2.
To set up an automatic payment plan, contact the Tax Collector's office directly or use their online portal to enroll in their installment program. You authorize the county to withdraw money from your bank account on dates you specify—typically aligned with the November 30 and February 28 deadlines, though you can arrange other schedules. Once enrolled, payments are deducted automatically each year unless you cancel. This prevents accidental late payments and the 10% penalty that follows.
If you use a credit card for online payment, the charge posts to your card immediately, but the county's receipt is your proof of payment. Keep that receipt until the payment appears on your property tax account, which usually takes 1 to 3 business days.
Mailing your payment and in-person payment locations
If you pay by mail, write your parcel number on the check or money order and mail it to the address printed on your tax bill. The Tax Collector's office is located in downtown Los Angeles, but regional payment centers operate in other parts of the county. Hours and locations change, so check the county website before visiting in person. Payments received by mail are stamped with the date received, and that date determines whether you are on time—not the date you mailed it. If your payment arrives after the deadline, it is considered late even if you mailed it before the deadline.
In-person payments at the Tax Collector's office or regional centers are processed immediately and you receive a receipt on the spot. This is the safest method if you are close to a deadline, because there is no mail delay. Some regional centers accept cash, checks, and money orders; others accept only checks and money orders. Call ahead to confirm what payment methods your nearest location accepts.
What happens if you miss the deadline
A 10% penalty is added to your bill if payment is not received by November 30 (first installment) or February 28 (second installment). This penalty is calculated on the amount owed, not on the total bill. If the first installment is $1,000 and you pay it on December 1, you owe $1,100. The penalty does not go away if you pay later; it stays on your record and increases your total tax debt.
After the penalty is added, additional charges accrue monthly. Interest on unpaid taxes runs at a rate set by the state each year—currently around 0.5% per month, though this changes annually. After five years of non-payment, the county can place a lien on your property, which means the county has a legal claim against it. If you sell the property, the lien must be paid from the sale proceeds before you receive any money. If taxes remain unpaid for long enough, the county can foreclose and sell your property to recover the debt.
If you cannot pay by the deadline, contact the Tax Collector's office immediately. Many people assume they have no options once they are late, but the county often works with property owners on payment plans or hardship deferrals before penalties and interest spiral.
Payment plans and hardship programs for Los Angeles property owners
The Los Angeles County Tax Collector offers installment payment plans for property owners who cannot pay their full bill by the deadline. These plans allow you to spread payments over several months, though interest and penalties may still apply depending on when you enroll. You must request a plan before or shortly after the deadline; waiting months to ask makes approval less likely.
Seniors (age 65 and older), disabled persons, and those experiencing financial hardship may be may be able to access for property tax postponement through the California Property Tax Postponement Program. This program allows you to defer paying your property taxes until you sell the property, move, or pass away. Your heirs would then owe the deferred taxes from the estate. Postponement is not forgiveness—you still owe the money—but it removes the immediate payment burden. may be able to access is based on age, disability status, or income, and you must own and live in the property as your primary residence.
Contact the Los Angeles County Assessor's office or the Tax Collector's office to learn whether you may be may be able to access for postponement or other hardship programs. These programs have income and asset limits that vary by year, so you will need to provide recent financial information.
Understanding your property tax bill and parcel number
Your Los Angeles property tax bill shows your parcel number, the assessed value of your property, the tax rate, and the amount owed for each installment. The parcel number is an eight-digit code that uniquely identifies your property in the county system. You will need this number to pay online, set up automatic payments, or contact the county about your account. If you cannot find your bill, you can look up your parcel number on the Los Angeles County Assessor's website by entering your address.
The tax rate in Los Angeles County is 1% of the assessed value, plus any voter-approved local bonds or assessments. Your bill may include charges for fire protection districts, school bonds, or other local improvements. These are all part of your property tax obligation and must be paid together—you cannot pay just the base tax and skip the assessments.
If you believe your assessed value is incorrect, you can file a Proposition 8 application with the Assessor's office to request a reassessment. This is a separate process from paying your taxes and does not delay your payment deadline. You have until the end of the fiscal year (June 30) to file a Proposition 8 application for that year's assessment.
Paying property taxes if you have a mortgage or escrow account
If you have a mortgage, your lender may require you to pay property taxes through an escrow account (also called an impound account). Each month, you pay a portion of your estimated annual property taxes to the lender, and the lender pays the full bill to the county on your behalf. You do not send payments directly to the county; the lender handles it. Your mortgage statement shows how much is being held in escrow each month.
If you pay through escrow, you are still responsible for ensuring the lender pays on time. If the lender makes a mistake and your taxes are paid late, the penalty still applies to your property. Review your escrow account statement annually to confirm the lender is setting aside enough money. If property values have risen significantly, your escrow payment may be too low, and you could face a shortfall at tax time.
If you refinance your mortgage or pay off your loan, you may no longer have an escrow account, and you will need to pay property taxes directly to the county. Make sure you understand this transition before your first bill arrives, or you could miss the deadline without realizing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I pay my property tax bill late by accident?
Contact the Tax Collector's office immediately. A 10% penalty is added automatically, but the county may waive or reduce it if you pay within a short time after the deadline and can show the late payment was unintentional. The sooner you pay, the better your chances of penalty relief. Do not wait; the longer you delay, the more interest accrues and the less likely the county is to help.
Can I pay my property taxes with a credit card online?
Yes, the county's online payment portal accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank account transfers. Credit card payments usually carry a 2% to 3% processing fee, so you will pay more than the tax amount itself. Bank account transfers typically have no fee or a small flat fee, making them cheaper if you have the option.
What is the difference between the first and second installment?
Los Angeles County splits the annual property tax bill into two payments: the first installment (due November 30) and the second installment (due February 28). You must pay both to satisfy your full annual tax obligation. If you pay only one installment, the other remains due and penalties apply to the unpaid portion.
Can I deduct my property taxes from my federal income tax?
Yes, property taxes are deductible on your federal income tax return, but only up to $10,000 per year in total state and local taxes (SALT cap). This limit includes property taxes, income taxes, and sales taxes combined. Consult a tax professional to understand how this affects your specific situation, as the rules are complex and change periodically.
What happens if I inherit a property in Los Angeles County?
You become responsible for the property taxes once the property is transferred to you. The county will send a new tax bill in your name. If the previous owner owed back taxes, those become your responsibility as the new owner. Contact the Tax Collector's office to confirm the current balance and set up payment. If you plan to sell the inherited property, unpaid taxes will be deducted from the sale proceeds.