How to Pay Your San Bernardino County Property Tax Bill
Where to send your property tax payment
San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk's office collects property taxes. You can pay online, by mail, in person, or by phone. The online portal at sbcounty.gov/assessor accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers. Payments made online post within one business day.
If you pay by mail, send your check or money order to San Bernardino County Tax Collector, 222 West Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino, CA 92415. Include your property account number (found on your tax bill) so the payment reaches the right parcel. Mail typically takes five to seven business days to arrive, so send it early if your due date is near.
You can also pay in person at the Tax Collector's office during business hours, or by phone at (909) 387-8307. Phone payments require a credit or debit card. Some local banks and check-cashing services also accept property tax payments, though they may charge a fee.
Key Takeaways
- San Bernardino County property taxes are due in two installments: the first half is due November 1 and delinquent December 10, and the second half is due February 1 and delinquent April 10.
- Paying online at sbcounty.gov/assessor is the fastest method and posts within one business day, while mail takes five to seven days.
- Late payments trigger a 10 percent penalty on the first installment and a 1.5 percent monthly penalty on the second, plus potential property liens.
- If you cannot pay in full, you can request a payment plan or look into property tax postponement if you are over 65, blind, or disabled.
Understanding the payment schedule and penalties
Property taxes in San Bernardino County split into two installments each year. The first installment covers July through October and is due November 1. If you do not pay by December 10, a 10 percent penalty is added to that installment. The second installment covers November through June and is due February 1. If you do not pay by April 10, a 1.5 percent penalty is added each month the bill remains unpaid.
These dates are fixed by state law, not by the county. Missing either deadline does not mean your property will be seized immediately, but penalties and interest accumulate. If your bill stays unpaid for three years, the county can place a lien on your property, making it harder to sell or refinance. After five years of non-payment, the county may foreclose and sell the property at a tax sale.
Your tax bill arrives in the mail about 60 days before the first installment is due. The bill shows your account number, property address, the amount owed for each installment, and the due dates. If you do not receive a bill, contact the Tax Collector's office—not receiving it does not erase the debt.
Setting up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full
San Bernardino County does not offer an automatic payment plan for property taxes, but you can request one by contacting the Tax Collector's office at (909) 387-8307. Explain your situation and ask what arrangements are possible. The county has discretion to work with property owners who are facing hardship, though there is no may provide a plan will be approved.
A payment plan typically requires you to pay a portion of the bill by the original due date and the remainder by a later date. You will still owe penalties and interest on the unpaid balance, but a plan can prevent a lien from being placed immediately. The sooner you contact the office, the more options you may have—waiting until after the delinquency date makes negotiation harder.
If you own your home and are over 65, blind, or disabled, you may be may be able to access for property tax postponement through California's Homeowners' Property Tax Postponement Program. This program allows you to postpone paying property taxes until you sell the home or pass away. You must apply through the State Controller's Office, not the county. The program does not erase the debt; it delays it.
What happens if your payment is late
A late property tax payment does not result in immediate foreclosure, but it does trigger a chain of consequences. The 10 percent penalty on the first installment and 1.5 percent monthly penalty on the second are automatic and non-negotiable. These penalties are added to your bill and must be paid if you want to bring the account current.
After the delinquency date passes, the county records your name in the delinquent tax roll, which is public record. This can affect your credit score and make it harder to borrow money. If your bill remains unpaid for 60 days after the delinquency date, the county may begin foreclosure proceedings. Before foreclosure, you have the right to a redemption period—typically one year—during which you can pay the full amount owed plus costs and stop the sale.
If you receive a notice of intent to foreclose or a tax sale notice, contact the Tax Collector's office immediately. Do not ignore these notices. The office can explain your options and may be able to halt the process if you can pay or negotiate a plan.
Checking your account and understanding your bill
You can view your property tax account online at sbcounty.gov/assessor by entering your property address or account number. The online portal shows your current balance, payment history, and upcoming due dates. This is useful if you want to confirm a payment has posted or check whether you owe anything before selling or refinancing.
Your tax bill lists several pieces of information: the assessed value of your property (set by the Assessor), the tax rate (set by local agencies), the amount of tax owed, and any exemptions you may have. If you believe the assessed value is wrong, you can file an appeal with the Assessor's office. Appeals must be filed by a specific deadline, usually within 30 days of receiving your bill, so act quickly if you disagree with the value.
If you have questions about what is on your bill or why the amount changed from last year, call the Assessor's office at (909) 387-8307. They can explain how the value was calculated and whether you may have access to for any exemptions, such as a homeowner's exemption or a disabled veteran's exemption.
Property tax exemptions you may may have access to for
San Bernardino County offers several exemptions that can lower your property tax bill. The homeowner's exemption reduces the assessed value of your primary residence by $7,000 (the amount is set by state law and does not change). You must apply for this exemption; it does not happen automatically. If you own your home and have never claimed it, you can apply retroactively for up to four years of back exemptions.
Other exemptions include the disabled veteran's exemption (for veterans with service-connected disabilities), the senior citizen's exemption (for homeowners over 65 with limited income), and exemptions for certain nonprofits and government properties. Each has different income limits and documentation requirements. You can apply for exemptions through the Assessor's office or download the application from sbcounty.gov/assessor.
If you are may be able to access for an exemption but have not claimed it, your back taxes are still owed. However, once you are approved, the exemption applies to future bills. It is worth applying even if you have owned the home for years.
Paying property taxes when you sell or refinance
When you sell your home, the title company or escrow officer will calculate how much property tax you owe up to the closing date and deduct it from your proceeds. This is called a property tax proration. The seller pays taxes up to the day of sale; the buyer pays from that day forward. You do not need to do anything—the escrow company handles it.
If you are refinancing, your lender may require you to bring your property tax account current before closing. Check with your lender about this requirement early in the process. If you owe back taxes, you can pay them directly to the county or ask your lender whether they can be rolled into the new loan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my property taxes online with a credit card?
Yes. The county's online portal at sbcounty.gov/assessor accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. There is a processing fee of about 2.5 percent, which is added to your payment. You can also pay by bank transfer (ACH) with no fee.
What if I pay my property taxes late but before the tax sale?
You can pay at any time before the property is sold at a tax sale. If you pay after the delinquency date, you owe the penalties and interest in addition to the original tax amount. Once you pay in full, the lien is removed and the foreclosure process stops.
Do I have to pay property taxes if I am renting, not owning?
No. The property owner pays property taxes. If you rent, your landlord pays the tax bill. The cost may be factored into your rent, but you do not pay the county directly.
Can I set up automatic payments for my property taxes?
The county does not offer automatic recurring payments. You must pay each installment manually by the due date. You can set a reminder on your calendar or contact the Tax Collector's office to ask about payment plan options if you want to spread payments over time.
What if I disagree with my assessed property value?
You can file an appeal with the Assessor's office within 30 days of receiving your bill. The appeal form is available at sbcounty.gov/assessor. You will need to provide evidence that the assessed value is too high, such as recent comparable sales or an independent appraisal.