In Amador County, just like the rest of California, property taxes need to be paid on time to avoid penalties. Also like the rest of the state property taxes on Amador County real estate are due in two installments; the first installment is due on November 10th and is delinquent at 5:00 p.m. on December 10th. The second installment is due February 10th and is delinquent at 5:00 p.m. on April 10th.

The Amador County Assessor first determines the value of your real estate. The County Auditor then applies the general tax rate of 1% and adds any special assessment or bond amounts to the tax roll. These computed amounts become the total property taxes. The Tax Collector does not determine the amount of your property taxes.

When you relocate to Amador County you will find that there are annual secured tax bills and supplemental tax bills. Article XIIIA of the California Constitution requires reappraisal of property whenever a change in ownership occurs or there is new construction on the property. A supplemental tax bill represents the additional taxes due resulting from the reappraisal required by Law. A supplemental tax bill is in addition to the annual property tax bill, and is sometimes an unexpected surprise. When you buy, expect to get a supplemental tax bill.

Many of the larger parcels of open land in Amador County are taxed under the Williamson Act. Properties under the act are assessed property taxes as though the property is less valuable than it actually is, and the land has restriction on use. This system helps to keep open land rural and open. There are large costs involved with removing a parcel from the act, which generally runs for a minimum ten year period with a ten year running hold. So if the owner of a property that is contracted with the county under the Williamson act wants to remove that property from the act he or she must wait at least ten years from when the property was put under the act to even apply to have it removed, then ten years after the application the property can be removed from the act. Otherwise property taxes are re-assessed and fees are added. This is a useful way to slow growth and help to keep open land open. The act has saved many area ranchers and farmers.