San Rafael, CA – Marin County’s 2020-21 property tax bills – 91,184 of them – were mailed to property owners September 25. This year’s tax roll of $1,223,521,178, is up 5.73% over last year.
The first installment of property taxes is due November 1 and must be paid on or before December 10 to avoid penalty.Property tax bills are mailed annually in late September and are payable in two installments. The first installment is due November 1 and must be paid on or before December 10 to avoid penalty. The second installment must be paid by April 10, 2021. Both installments may be paid with the first installment.
Property tax due dates are not expected to change as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Local property tax revenues are needed now more than ever to address the budgetary consequences of the ongoing public health emergency and to support essential services such as public health, law enforcement, fire protection, and schools.
Property tax payments can be made online at www.marincounty.org/taxbillonline or by phone at (800) 985-7277. The Tax Collector’s online and telephone payment service uses a secure internet portal and there is no service fee when paying with an electronic check (e-check).
Property owners who do not receive a tax bill by mid-October, especially those who have recently purchased real estate in Marin, should email or call the Tax Collector’s Office at (415) 473-6133. The Tax Collector’s office is in Suite 202 of the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael; office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In-person visits to the Civic Center are not recommended because of the pandemic.
Parcel tax exemption information and forms are available at marincounty.org/propertytaxexemptions or obtained directly from the district that offers the exemption. Parcel tax exemption eligibility and filing deadlines vary by district and are administered by those districts, not the tax collector staff.
Homeowners and small businesses directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who find they are unable to pay their property taxes by the penalty deadline may be eligible for penalty cancellation if they meet certain conditions. Parameters for the penalty cancellation program were established by an executive order issued by Governor Gavin Newsom in May and guidelines for the program were provided by the State Controller’s Office.
For questions about property tax billing, contact the Tax Collector at (415) 473-6133 or by email. Questions about assessed values are best answered by the County Assessor at (415) 473-7215.
The State Controller’s Office will begin accepting new Property Tax Postponement (PTP) applications beginning 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 $45,000 or less;
- have at least 40% equity in the property; and
- not have a reverse mortgage.
Go to the SCO website for more information. Call 1 (800) 952-5661 or email the SCO with questions about payment postponement.