Special offer

Paying Your Marin County Property Tax Bill

Reblogger
Real Estate Agent with Compass CA DRE# 01215160

Rob Spinosa, a very wise and trustworthy lender with Guaranteed Rate in Marin County, posted the following about paying property taxes in California. The date for the second installment for the year is just around the corner.  Don't be late--a 10% penalty is steep!

 

Original content by Rob Spinosa NMLS: 22343

Paying Your Marin County Property Tax Bill

 

As I write this in March of 2018, my very own Marin County property tax bills sit alongside my computer on my desk, awaiting payment of their second installment.  No doubt with the same procrastination exhibited by most fellow Marin County property owners, I still thought it was a ripe opportunity to share some basics on how, when and where to pay our real estate taxes and at the same time avoid the consequences of late payments.

 

Property Tax Bill Information and Due Dates

Secured property tax bills are mailed in October and payable in two installments:

  • First installment due date:  November 1
  • Second installment due date:  February 1

"Now hold on a minute!," you say.  "I was told I could pay in December and April!"  Well, technically, you can.  The late dates for the installments are December 10 and April 10, respectively.  And what I've noticed after a long career in home finance is that most county residents pay just before these late dates.  In fact, if you really want to people watch at the post office and you can't make it on any given April 15, your next best viewing opportunity is very likely December 10.  Late penalties are 10% of the installment amount, so it's not just a slap on the wrist.  State law extends the deadlines above to the following Monday if December 10 or April 10 fall on a weekend, but postmark determines the payment date.  If you're late and don't include the penalty, the county will send back your original payment.

 

"What If My Lender Pays My Taxes?"

If you have an escrow or impound account through which your mortgage lender pays your taxes, your property tax bill will state, "a copy of this bill was sent to a paying agent at their request."  If you are unsure of whether or not your lender has paid your tax installment, you should clarify this with your servicer.  They are the folks who send you your monthly mortgage statement.  I always advise my clients to let me know if they need help with this --- I just feel it's a service any good mortgage professional should provide, and we handle the "straightening out" of countless, anxiety-inducing property tax questions throughout the course of any year.  Note that if you pay your mortgage in full or refinance during the course of any year, you may become responsible for your tax payments even if you've impounded all along.  Again, call us if we can assist.

 

How to Pay

Payments may be made via any of the methods below and partial payments are NOT accepted by the Marin County's Assessor's office.

  • Onlinewww.marincounty.org/taxbillonline.  You will need the parcel number (APN) from your bill.
  • Phone:  1-800-985-7277 using your bill number.
  • Mail:  Marin County Tax Collector, PO Box 4220, San Rafael, CA 94913-4220
  • Office:  3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 202, San Rafael, CA  94903 (Mon/Fri, 9am to 4:30pm)

Remember that if you're in the loan process and you need to document payment of any installment (which can occasionally be a requirement), you'll probably need to obtain a receipt by paying at the window.

 

What About Supplemental Tax Bills?

Great question!  The County issues a supplemental assessment when a change in ownership occurs.  This bill reflects the difference between the seller's basis and your new and ongoing basis and you'll only receive it in that first year of the purchase.  Afterwards, the correct tax amount is entirely reflected on your regular bill.  The Assessor's office provides owners with new, previous and supplemental values and you can always call them directly at 415-473-7215.

 

Every day I work to help people buy homes in Marin.  Often it's a challenge for them, mostly due to lack of inventory and high home prices.  As the rest of us grouse and grumble about writing our checks to the county, let's remember that it's also a privilege to do so.  Owning here, like death and taxes, is no certain thing.

 

Read my lips, 

 

 

Robert J. Spinosa
Vice President of Mortgage Lending

Guaranteed Rate
NMLS: 22343 
Cell/Text: 415-367-5959 Fax: 415-366-1590
rob.spinosa@rate.com

Marin Office:  324 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA  94960

Berkeley Office:  1400 Shattuck Ave., Suite 1, Berkeley, CA  94709
 

*The views and opinions expressed on this site about work-related matters are my own, have not been reviewed or approved by Guaranteed Rate and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Guaranteed Rate.  In no way do I commit Guaranteed Rate to any position on any matter or issue without the express prior written consent of Guaranteed Rate's Human Resources Department.

 

Guaranteed Rate. Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee NMLS License #2611 3940 N. Ravenswood ChicagoIL 60613 - (866) 934-7283

Comments (14)

Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Taxes are no ones favorite time of the year but making the info clear and easy and sharing that your going through it too, makes it easy on others going through it.

Mar 20, 2018 06:58 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

On the other hand, if you can't afford to pay your taxes, you can get away with not paying them for four years, but you didn't hear that from me. Moving to year 5 is too close for comfort, tax sale and all.

Mar 20, 2018 06:59 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

We are already in the late period as February 28th was the last day to pay on time. 

Mar 20, 2018 08:04 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Ellen Caruso - indeed, we tend to put off paying property taxes (income taxes too) until the last minute. But, in California, with a 10% penalty for late payment of property taxes, it behooves one to pay by the deadline.

Mar 21, 2018 08:07 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Good morning, Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents - if a person is on year 2 or 3 with unpaid property taxes, they really should contact a Realtor and discuss ways to get out of their bind before it's too late.

Mar 21, 2018 08:09 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Debbie Reynolds - in California our tax year runs July 1 - June 30, with two installments delinquent on 12/10 and 4/10. One best not delay much longer in getting that last payment made.

Mar 21, 2018 08:10 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Thank goodness we have our property tax bill paid out of our mortgage escrow.  This is good information for Marin County residents who are paying that bill themselves.

Mar 21, 2018 10:43 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Chris Ann Cleland - having a mortgage impound account does add convenience, but I and many of my clients prefer to be in charge of the timing our payments -- some years it might be beneficial to pay both installments early, other years not. But what any California property owner does not want to do is miss a deadline!

I liked the clear, concise post by Rob Spinosa for that reason.

Mar 21, 2018 12:20 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

This is such a valuable information, so many agents do not even know when the Taxes are due.....Endre

Mar 24, 2018 06:46 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hello Endre Barath, Jr. - Rob Spinosa shared good information in a clear, helpful way. Many people don't know when property taxes are due; many more know the delinquent dates; a few need reminders like this one!

Mar 25, 2018 08:41 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Ours is coming up - April 30th. The next installment is October 31st. 

Mar 26, 2018 08:31 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Thanks for this time sensitive re-blog of a very important event that happens at least once a year Lottie Kendall 

Mar 26, 2018 09:45 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD - April is an expensive month, right? Income taxes, quarterly estimated taxes, property taxes. Gotta get them all paid on time to avoid penalties.

Mar 28, 2018 05:26 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS, - in California, the 10% late payment penalty really hurts -- Rob's post might very well help someone avoid that scenario.

Mar 28, 2018 05:27 PM