The first installment of your 2026-27 San Diego County secured property tax bill was due November 1, and it becomes delinquent after December 10, 2026. The second installment is due February 1 and becomes delinquent after April 10, according to the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector. Miss a delinquent date and you will be charged a 10% penalty, plus a $10 fee on the second installment. The good news is that paying on time is easy, and there are real ways to keep your bill in check.
How should I pay? The Treasurer-Tax Collector says paying online by e-check at sdttc.com is free and is credited the day you submit it. Credit cards carry a 2.19% convenience fee. Be careful with your bank's online bill pay, because the bank mails a paper check that can take 5 to 10 business days to arrive, and the county must receive payment before 5 p.m. on the delinquent date. Bills went out in late September and early October, and not receiving one does not prevent penalties, so look yours up online if it never showed up.
How is my property tax calculated? Proposition 13 limits the base rate to 1% of your assessed value, plus any voter-approved bonds and assessments. Your assessed value can rise no more than 2% a year, and it is reset when the property changes owners or has new construction. I love this part of owning in California. Your home's market value can climb while your tax base grows slowly and predictably. The County Assessor reported that Prop 13 limited increases for 93% of San Diego County properties on the 2026 roll, which hit a record $845 billion in assessed value.
Am I getting every exemption I qualify for? If you live in your home as your main residence, file for the Homeowners' Exemption. It takes $7,000 off your taxable value, which works out to roughly $70 a year at the 1% base rate. It is a one-time filing with the County Assessor, and first-time filers should get it in by February 15 for the full exemption. The Assessor says 450,209 San Diego County homeowners saved $31.5 million this way on the 2026 roll. If you bought this year, double check that it is on your bill.
What about property tax scams? In September, Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Cohen warned homeowners about a fake federal "Form 1098-SR" that supposedly freezes or reduces property taxes. No such form or federal program exists. As KPBS reported, Cohen urged owners never to share personal or banking information or pay a fee in response to an unsolicited offer, and to verify everything through official government sources.
Owning a home in San Diego is still one of the best long term moves you can make, and a little planning keeps more of your money working for you. If you have questions about what your taxes might look like on your next purchase, I'm your realtor, let me know when you need me.
Quick answers
When is the first installment late? After December 10, 2026. Payment must be received before 5 p.m. that day.
When is the second installment due? February 1, 2027, and it becomes delinquent after April 10, 2027.
What is the late penalty? 10%, plus a $10 fee on the second installment.
What is the Homeowners' Exemption? A $7,000 reduction in taxable value for an owner-occupied main residence. File by February 15 for the full exemption.
Read the original article: https://www.kpbs.org/news/public-safety/2026/09/15/san-diego-county-treasurer-tax-collector-warns-homeowners-of-fake-federal-tax-freeze-scam
Sources
San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector, Secured Property Tax FAQs
San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector, Secured Property Taxes (penalties)
San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, 2026 assessment roll news release, July 2, 2026
California State Board of Equalization, Homeowners' Exemption
Image credit: Tony Webster via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0