San Francisco Tax Collector: Pay Property Tax & Find the Right Office
If you searched for the County of San Francisco Tax Collector, the official collection function is handled by the City and County of San Francisco Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector. This guide shows where to pay, where to mail a check, when City Hall accepts taxpayers, how secured-tax deadlines work, and when an assessment problem belongs with the Assessor-Recorder.
Start with the task
Quick Answer: Who Is the San Francisco Tax Collector?
San Francisco is a city and county, so you will not normally find a separate county-only tax collector office like you would in many other California counties. Property-tax collection is handled by the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector, City and County of San Francisco.
For a normal property-tax payment, begin with the official Treasurer & Tax Collector property-tax payment page. It links to the current payment portal and explains online, mail, City Hall and electronic-transfer options. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
When Is Your
Next Tax Deadline?
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How to Pay San Francisco Property Taxes Online
The cleanest route is to start on the official Treasurer & Tax Collector property-tax payment page rather than searching for a payment processor separately. The official page links to the property-tax portal, where taxpayers can view current statements and payment history. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
Property Tax Penalty & Interest Calculator
State-specific penalty rates • Interest accrual • Tax lien deadline • Cost-of-waiting breakdown
| Original Tax Amount | $0.00 |
| Initial Penalty— | $0.00 |
| Monthly Interest— | $0.00 |
| Fixed Fees— | $0.00 |
| Total Due | $0.00 |
Daily Accrual Rate
Interest and penalties are adding this much to your balance every single day
Tax Lien Warning
| If You Pay On | Days Late | Penalty | Interest | Total Owed | Extra Cost |
|---|
- Open the official payment instructions. Go to the San Francisco Treasurer & Tax Collector property-tax payment page and confirm that you are using the property-tax service.
- Open the linked property-tax portal. The official page currently links to the San Francisco property-tax payment portal at
sanfrancisco-ca.county-taxes.com. - Match the account before paying. Check the property, Block and Lot information, tax type, tax year, installment and amount.
- Choose the payment method. Compare eCheck, card, mail, in-person and ACH/wire options with the rules that apply to your payment.
- Save proof. Keep the confirmation, payment date, amount and bank/card record until the payment appears correctly in the account.
San Francisco Property Tax Payment Methods
The official payment page provides several routes. The right choice depends on whether you are paying electronically, mailing a check, visiting City Hall or arranging a larger electronic transfer. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
eCheck
The current official property-tax fee table lists no service fee for eCheck. Make sure the checking-account information and available funds are correct before submitting.
Credit or Debit Card
The current property-tax fee table lists a 2.25% fee with a $2 minimum. The fee is non-refundable, so review the final amount before confirming payment.
Mail, City Hall or ACH/Wire
Checks and money orders can be mailed or used at City Hall. ACH and wire transfers have specific tax-type and account-identification instructions.
| Payment route | Current official information | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| eCheck | No property-tax service fee listed | Use correct bank information and available funds. |
| Credit card | 2.25%, $2 minimum | Fee is non-refundable; check final total. |
| Debit card | 2.25%, $2 minimum | Confirm transaction approval and retain proof. |
| Check / money order | Mail or pay through the City Hall route | Postmark and timing matter near the deadline. |
| ACH / wire | Specific tax-type abbreviations and payment instructions apply | Separate tax types may require separate transfers. |
Fees and payment procedures can change. The figures above reflect the current official property-tax payment information reviewed for this page. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
San Francisco Property Tax Payment by Mail
If you prefer a check or money order, use the property-tax mailing address, not the separate business-tax mailing address.
Mailing details
- Payable to: SF Tax Collector
- Mail to: Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector
- P.O. Box: 7426
- City/state/ZIP: San Francisco, CA 94120-7426
- Memo: Include the Block and Lot number.
- Cash: Do not send cash.
Postmark warning
The Treasurer & Tax Collector says USPS postmark practices have changed. The date an item is first processed can differ from the day it was placed in a mailbox.
If you are mailing close to a deadline, the official guidance strongly encourages using a USPS counter and requesting a manual postmark. A PVI label or certificate of mailing can also provide stronger evidence of when the payment was presented.
San Francisco Tax Collector Office Hours and City Hall Location
The Treasurer & Tax Collector’s property-tax payment page lists the office at City Hall, Room 140. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; walk-in assistance is accepted until 4:00 p.m., while cashier payments are accepted until 5:00 p.m. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
San Francisco, CA 94102
Walk-in help until 4:00 p.m.
415-701-2311 outside SF
Directions only. Verify current office hours, closures and services with the Treasurer & Tax Collector before visiting.
San Francisco Property Tax Fees and Returned Payments
For property taxes, the current official payment page lists no service fee for eCheck and a 2.25% service fee with a $2 minimum for credit and debit card payments. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
Returned eCheck
The official page says a returned or rejected electronic check can result in a $50 returned-item fee. If the replacement payment becomes past due, late penalties and fees can also apply.
Payment not showing?
First check with your financial institution to confirm the transaction succeeded. The official payment page says taxes and fees are not considered paid until the payment has been received and processed.
San Francisco Secured Property Tax Due Dates and Penalties
For normal secured property-tax bills mailed in October, the two dates most property owners need to remember are December 10 for the first installment and April 10 for the second. The delinquency time is 5:00 p.m., not simply the end of the calendar day. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
| Payment stage | Normal timing | Penalty information |
|---|---|---|
| First secured installment | Delinquent after 5:00 p.m. on December 10 for normal October-mailed bills | 10% penalty |
| Second secured installment | Delinquent after 5:00 p.m. on April 10 for normal October-mailed bills | 10% plus applicable fees |
| Tax-default transition | June 30 if the bill remains delinquent through the end of the fiscal year | Additional 1.5% per month plus redemption fee |
Supplemental and escape assessments are different
A change of ownership or new construction can trigger a supplemental assessment. An escape assessment can also cover a prior fiscal year when an assessment was delayed. These bills should not be treated as ordinary first- and second-installment bills without checking the official instructions. :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
What to Do If San Francisco Property Taxes Are Delinquent
Once a property-tax bill is delinquent, the amount you should pay may no longer match the original statement. Penalties, fees and, after tax default, redemption charges can affect the balance. The official delinquent-property guidance explains the tax-default and redemption process. :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
- Check the current balance. Use the official payment portal or Treasurer & Tax Collector help route rather than relying on an old paper balance.
- Identify the tax status. Determine whether the account is simply delinquent or has moved to the tax-default/redemption stage.
- Do not calculate a payoff from an old bill. Use the official current amount when penalties, fees or redemption charges may have changed.
- Ask about an installment option if applicable. The official office describes installment plans for eligible tax-defaulted properties that are not in power-to-sell status.
- Act quickly on older delinquencies. Properties remaining tax-defaulted for five or more years can become subject to the Tax Collector’s power to sell.
San Francisco Tax Collector vs. Assessor-Recorder
This distinction saves time. The Treasurer & Tax Collector and the Assessor-Recorder are separate functions within San Francisco government. The Assessor-Recorder is responsible for identifying and assessing taxable property, maintaining property records and administering applicable exemptions; the Treasurer & Tax Collector handles collection and payment functions. :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}
Choose the office based on the problem
Unsecured Property Taxes in San Francisco
Not every property-related tax bill concerns secured real estate. San Francisco also has unsecured property taxes, which can include business personal property, boats and berths, possessory interests and certain supplemental or escape assessments. :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}
Business personal property
Equipment, supplies, fixtures and other taxable business property can fall into the unsecured-property system.
Boats and berths
Unsecured property-tax rules can also apply to boats and berths in San Francisco.
Possessory interests
Certain rights to use property can be assessed as unsecured property rather than ordinary secured real estate.
Do not automatically apply the secured-property December 10 and April 10 workflow to an unsecured bill. Check the bill type and the official unsecured-property instructions first.
San Francisco Business Tax and Registration: A Separate Route
The Treasurer & Tax Collector also administers business registration and business-tax services, but these are not the same workflow as residential or commercial secured property-tax payment.
For the 2026–27 registration year, San Francisco’s official business-registration information states that business registration renewal is due by the last day of February and is part of the unified Annual Business Registration and Tax Form. The registration year runs April 1 through March 31 under the current system. :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}
Common San Francisco Tax Payment Problems and What to Do
| Problem | Likely issue | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| Payment is not showing | Processing delay, failed transaction or account mismatch | Check the bank/card transaction first, then contact the Treasurer & Tax Collector if needed. |
| Online balance differs from an old bill | Penalties, fees, new payment posting or account changes | Use the current official balance instead of the old paper amount. |
| Mail payment is close to deadline | Postmark may not be created when expected | Use a USPS counter and request a manual postmark or validated mailing evidence. |
| Assessment looks incorrect | Assessment or exemption issue rather than payment issue | Contact the Assessor-Recorder. |
| Property changed ownership | Supplemental or escape assessment may apply | Check the official assessment and tax-bill instructions. |
| Bill is tax-defaulted | Redemption rules and additional charges may apply | Check the official delinquent-property and redemption guidance. |
| Wrong mailing P.O. Box | Business and property-tax addresses are different | Match the P.O. Box to the exact tax type before mailing. |
Keep these records after paying
- Payment confirmation or receipt
- Payment date and amount
- Property address
- Block and Lot number
- Tax year and installment
- Bank, card or canceled-check evidence
- Mailing/postmark evidence if paying by mail
Official San Francisco Tax Collector Resources
Use the government source that matches your task. TaxCollectors.org is an independent guide and does not process payments or control government accounts.
San Francisco Tax Collector FAQs
What is the official San Francisco Tax Collector website?
The tax collection function is handled by the City and County of San Francisco Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector. Its official website is sftreasurer.org.
Where is the San Francisco Tax Collector office?
The Treasurer & Tax Collector office is at City Hall, Room 140, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102.
What are the San Francisco Tax Collector office hours?
The official property-tax payment page lists Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Walk-in assistance is accepted until 4:00 p.m., while cashier payments are accepted until 5:00 p.m.
How do I pay San Francisco property taxes online?
Start at the official Treasurer & Tax Collector property-tax payment page and open the linked property-tax portal. Verify the property, tax year, installment and amount before submitting payment.
How much is the San Francisco online property tax payment fee?
The current official fee table lists no property-tax service fee for eCheck. Credit and debit card property-tax payments are listed at 2.25% with a $2 minimum.
Where do I mail San Francisco property tax payments?
Mail property-tax payments to Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector, P.O. Box 7426, San Francisco, CA 94120-7426. Make checks or money orders payable to “SF Tax Collector” and include the Block and Lot number on the memo line.
When are normal secured property taxes delinquent?
For normal secured bills mailed in October, the first installment is delinquent after 5:00 p.m. on December 10 and the second after 5:00 p.m. on April 10. Penalties can apply at those points.
What happens after June 30 if a property-tax bill is still delinquent?
If a bill remains delinquent through June 30, it becomes tax-defaulted and moves to the redemption roll. The official guidance states that 1.5% per month plus a redemption fee can accrue.
Should I contact the Tax Collector or Assessor-Recorder?
Use the Treasurer & Tax Collector for payment, receipts, postmarks, returned payments and delinquent-payment matters. Use the Assessor-Recorder for assessed value, exemptions, ownership and property-record questions.
Is TaxCollectors.org the official San Francisco Tax Collector?
No. TaxCollectors.org is an independent guide. Government transactions should be completed or verified through the appropriate official San Francisco or California government source.
Before You Pay a San Francisco Tax Bill
Start with the official Treasurer & Tax Collector page, confirm that the bill belongs to San Francisco, match the tax type and installment, review the current amount and payment fee, then save your confirmation. If the problem concerns property value, ownership or an exemption rather than payment, switch to the Assessor-Recorder.
- Use the official payment route rather than an unfamiliar payment website.
- Do not mail property-tax payments to the business-tax P.O. Box.
- Do not wait until the last day to mail a check.
- Keep proof of every electronic and mailed payment.
- For delinquent or tax-defaulted bills, verify the current payoff before sending money.
- Check official pages again before relying on a future deadline, fee or office-hour detail.
Source-first reminder: San Francisco tax procedures can change. This page explains the current official workflow but does not replace the government’s instructions or individualized advice from a qualified tax or legal professional.