How to Pay Your Bill Through SDTTC.com
What SDTTC.com is and who uses it
SDTTC.com is the online payment portal for San Diego County property taxes and other local assessments. If you own property in San Diego County, you can use this site to view your tax bill, make one-time payments, or set up automatic payments without going to a county office or mailing a check.
The site is run by the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector's office. You do not need to create an account to make a single payment, but creating one lets you store your property information and see your payment history.
SDTTC stands for San Diego Treasurer-Tax Collector. The site handles property taxes, supplemental assessments, and some other county charges tied to your parcel.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay your San Diego County property tax bill on SDTTC.com without creating an account, using your parcel number or assessor's parcel number (APN).
- One-time payments process immediately online, but checks mailed to the county take up to five business days to post to your account.
- Automatic payments (ACH or credit card) can be set up to pay on a date you choose, and you can cancel or change them anytime before the payment date.
- Late payments trigger penalties and interest; the exact rate depends on when your payment arrives, so paying early is cheaper than paying on time.
- If you cannot find your bill or parcel number, the county assessor's office can look it up by your address or owner name.
How to find your bill and parcel number
Before you can pay on SDTTC.com, you need your assessor's parcel number (APN) or your property tax bill number. Your APN is an eight-digit code that identifies your specific property in the county's records.
If you have your property tax bill in hand, the APN is printed on the front. If you do not have the bill, you can look up your APN on the San Diego County Assessor's website by entering your street address. The assessor's office also answers phone calls and can read your APN to you over the phone.
Some people have their APN on their mortgage statement or homeowner's insurance documents. If you rent, your landlord pays the property tax, so you would not use SDTTC.com unless you own the property.
Paying a one-time bill online
To pay once without creating an account, go to SDTTC.com and select the option to pay without logging in. Enter your APN or bill number, then your property address to confirm the match. The site will show your current balance and any amounts due.
You can pay by ACH transfer (direct debit from your bank account) or by credit or debit card. ACH payments are free and process immediately. Credit and debit card payments charge a convenience fee, usually between 2 and 3 percent of the payment amount, because the county passes the card processor's cost to you.
After you submit payment, you will see a confirmation number on screen. Write it down or take a screenshot. The county will email a receipt if you provide your email address, but the confirmation number is your proof of payment if something goes wrong.
Setting up automatic payments
If you want the county to deduct your property tax payment automatically each year, you can set up a recurring ACH payment on SDTTC.com. Create an account first, then go to the automatic payment section and choose the amount and the date you want the payment to come out of your bank account.
You can choose to pay the full amount once a year, or split it into multiple payments if your county allows installments. You can change or cancel the automatic payment anytime before the scheduled date—log into your account and update your preferences.
Automatic payments are free (no convenience fee) because they use ACH, not a credit card. The payment will post to your account within one to three business days of the deduction date.
What happens if you pay late
San Diego County property taxes are due on a specific date each year, usually in early December for the first installment and early April for the second. If your payment does not arrive by that date, the county charges a penalty and interest.
The penalty is a percentage of the unpaid tax amount, and the interest rate is set by state law and changes each year. Both penalties and interest accrue daily, so the longer you wait, the more you owe. A payment that arrives one day late costs more than a payment that arrives on time.
If you are unable to pay by the due date, contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector's office to ask about payment plans or hardship options. Some counties offer installment agreements or temporary deferrals, though San Diego's options depend on your situation and the amount owed.
Mailing a check or paying in person
If you do not want to pay online, you can mail a check to the address printed on your property tax bill. Write your APN on the check. The county's mail processing takes up to five business days, so the payment date is when the county receives it, not when you mail it.
You can also pay in person at the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector's office during business hours. Bring your bill or APN and a form of payment (check, cash, or debit card—credit cards may have a fee in person as well). Payments made in person post to your account the same day.
Paying in person or by mail is slower than online payment, so if you are close to the due date, paying online is safer.
Creating and managing your SDTTC.com account
To create an account on SDTTC.com, click "Register" or "Create Account" and enter your email address, a password, and your property's APN or bill number. The site will ask you to verify your email by clicking a link sent to your inbox.
Once logged in, you can view your current balance, payment history, and any bills due. You can also set up automatic payments, change your contact information, and download copies of past bills. If you own multiple properties in San Diego County, you can add them all to one account.
If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. The site will email you a reset link. If you forget your email address or cannot access your account, call the Treasurer-Tax Collector's office and they can help you regain access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay my property tax bill all at once?
San Diego County allows property owners to split their annual tax bill into two installments, usually due in December and April. You can pay both installments on SDTTC.com, or set up automatic payments to deduct each installment on its due date. If you pay the full year's amount early, you may receive a small discount depending on the county's current rules.
What if I pay online but my payment does not show up?
Check your confirmation number and the email receipt (if you provided an email). Log into your SDTTC.com account and look at your payment history to see if the payment posted. ACH payments post within one to three business days; credit card payments post immediately. If more than three business days have passed and the payment is not showing, call the Treasurer-Tax Collector's office with your confirmation number.
Can I dispute my property tax bill on SDTTC.com?
No, SDTTC.com is only for viewing and paying bills. To dispute the amount owed, you must contact the San Diego County Assessor's office or file a formal appeal through the county's assessment appeals board. The assessor's office can explain how to challenge your assessed property value.
What if I own property in San Diego County but live out of state?
You can pay your bill on SDTTC.com from anywhere with internet access. Set up an account, add your property, and pay by ACH or credit card. You can also have the county mail your bill to an out-of-state address by updating your mailing address in your account or calling the Treasurer-Tax Collector's office.
Is there a fee to use SDTTC.com?
ACH payments are free. Credit and debit card payments charge a convenience fee (usually 2 to 3 percent) because the county passes the payment processor's cost to you. Mailing a check or paying in person has no fee, but takes longer to process.