By Dan McAllister | Tax Tips

The season of giving has begun!

Annual secured property tax bills from our office were sent out in September. So by now, all of you who are property owners should have received your annual secured bill. This year, 2,269 additional bills were sent out — bringing the total to 986,858. These secured bills will generate more than $5 billion dollars for county operations to help our schools, our community colleges, our libraries, and so much more in our community.

This year, we’ve improved our mobile-friendly platform to make it easier for taxpayers like you to pay online through your phone or tablet. We are always striving to provide you with more streamlined payment options. You can also sign up for our e-notification system to get a friendly email reminder when your taxes are due on our website.

Here are some tips for paying your annual secured tax bill on time to avoid any penalties.

• Mark your calendar. The Tax Collector’s office sends one annual secured bill only. The first installment is due on Nov. 1 and the last day to pay on time is Dec. 10. The second installment is due on Feb. 1 and the last day to pay on time is April 10.
• Prepare financially. There is no legal provision to defer taxes due to financial hardship. If you are unable to pay your taxes when due, a penalty will be assessed. If your taxes are still unpaid by the end of the fiscal year, your taxes will default and additional penalties will apply. At that time, you may qualify for a payment plan to pay the taxes over a five-year period.
• Check with your mortgage company. If you have recently refinanced or purchased a property, contact your lender to determine who will be paying the tax bill. If you have an impound account, make sure your mortgage company pays the bill on time.
• Check your travel schedule. If you plan to be out of town, make arrangements beforehand. And remember, you can always pay online! It’s fast, free, and easy.
• Don’t confuse your supplemental bill with your annual secured bill. Supplemental bills are separate from your annual secured tax bill. They are sent when there’s been a change of ownership or new construction.
• If you are in the military, you may be eligible for deferred payment. If you’re on military deployment, you may be able to defer paying your taxes until you return. Call our office to check your status.

—Dan McAllister is the San Diego County Treasurer/Tax Collector. Reach him at 877-829-4732 or sdtreastax.com.