Understanding Your Property Tax Bill in Lake County

Property taxes are collected by the Tax Collector and are governed by state law. The Tax Collector collects over $100 million annually on behalf of the county, our two unincorporated cities, five school districts and over 25 special districts. The Tax Collector is responsible for the billing and collection of all property taxes. The Tax Collector does not determine the amount of taxes that are billed or the billing address. Assessed values, ownership status and mailing addresses are controlled by the Assessor-Recorder, bond rates and tax distribution are managed by the Auditor, and direct charges are determined by their respective Districts.

The return address on your Property Tax bill will no longer be the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Lakeport office address. Instead, payments will be sent to our vendor facility in Whittier, CA, where they will be processed and integrated into relevant County systems and deposited. This approach has been successful across many counties and has made payment processing significantly faster. You can still pay your property tax bill in person or via the payment drop box at the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office: 255 N. Forbes St, Lakeport (Courthouse - 2nd floor). Visit here for more information.

On July 1, the tax cycle calendar begins. July 1 is also when secured property taxes default and begin accruing additional penalties of 1 ½% per month, and a redemption fee of $15. Each November, the first installment is due on the first, and “delinquent Current Year Unsecured taxes begin accruing additional penalties of 1 ½% per month.” For the first installment payment, the delinquent date is December 10 each year, on which a 10% penalty is added. If the delinquent date falls on a weekend or county holiday, the delinquent date is the next business day. For the complete tax cycle calendar, visit here.

There are several ways to pay. Electronic Payments can be made online or by telephone at 866-506-8035. Please note there is a convenience fee of 2.5% for credit/debit card payments or a $3 flat fee for an e-Check. Checks, cashier's checks, and money orders can be mailed to: Lake County Tax Collector, P.O. Box 6011, Whittier, CA 90607-6011. The second installment of real property taxes is due February 1, 2025, and will be delinquent if not paid by April 10, 2025. Mailed payments must be postmarked no later than April 10, 2025.

It is strongly recommended not to wait until the last few days prior to December 10 or April 10 to pay your bill each year. If you pay close to the delinquency date and there is an issue, there will not be the opportunity to correct the issue. It is advised to not assume that the online bill payment services offered by a bank or financial institution will be processed the day they are requested. Click here to review “Penalty Cancellation Information on the “Dos and Don’t Related to Your Annual Secured Property Tax Bill.”

Taxpayers who send their payments by mail are cautioned that the USPS only postmarks certain mail depending on the type of postage used. Additionally, the USPS may not postmark mail on the same day it is deposited by a taxpayer. Visit here to “Avoid Penalties by Understanding Postmarks.” Lake County residents also have the opportunity to subscribe to receive email reminder notices prior to the property tax due dates here (note that this service does not include supplemental tax reminders).