San Rafael, CA – Monday, December 12, is the last day residents all around California can pay the first installment of the 2016-2017 property tax bill without penalty. Taxpayers are encouraged to pay early and avoid penalties.
Sandra Kacharos, the County's Property Tax Division Chief, will open an express payment drop box for property taxes at the Civic Center's southern archway on December 9 and 12.
Payments sent by mail must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service on or before December 12. Tax payments can be made online at www.marincounty.org/taxbillonline or paid by phone at 800-985-7277.
For added convenience to residents, an express payment drop box will be located under the Marin County Civic Center’s southern archway at 3501 Civic Center Drive in San Rafael, on December 9 and 12. The hours of the Tax Collector’s Office (Suite 202) and the express payment drop box are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. December 9 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. December 12.
Taxpayers are encouraged to use the express payment drop box, pay online, by phone or by mail because of limited parking spaces at the Civic Center for those wishing to pay in person.
The Marin County Tax Collector’s Office, a division of the County Department of Finance, mailed 91,947 tax bills on Sept. 30, 2016. Property owners who have not received a tax bill, especially those who have recently purchased real estate, should contact the Tax Collector’s Office as soon as possible. Parcel tax exemption information, including exemptions for seniors, is available at www.marincounty.org/propertytaxexemptions. Eligibility for parcel tax exemptions is administered and determined by each taxing district.
Property Tax Postponement (PTP) is available for senior and disabled person. The State Controller’s Office began accepting new PTP applications October 1. To be eligible for PTP, you must:
- Be at least 62, or blind, or have a disability;
- Own and occupy the home as your primary place of residence;
- Have a total household income of $35,500 or less; and
- Have at least 40 percent equity in the property.
For more information on PTP, call 1-800-952-5661 or email postponement@sco.ca.gov.