San Francisco County Tax Collector: Pay Taxes & Office Hours
Use this County of San Francisco Tax Collector guide to pay secured or unsecured property taxes, check City Hall office hours, confirm the official payment and mailing address, understand postmark rules, avoid Assessor-Recorder confusion and prepare before visiting Room 140.
🧭 County of San Francisco Tax Collector Open Today: What to Confirm First
The county of san francisco tax collector search usually points to the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector for the City and County of San Francisco. This office handles property tax payments, business tax and fee payments, delinquent obligations, cashiering and related public payment services.
For in-person help, the official City Hall office is Room 140. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Walk-ins for assistance are accepted until 4:00 PM, while payments at the cashier window are accepted until 5:00 PM. If your goal is only to pay a property tax bill, online or mail payment can save time and avoid City Hall lines.
San Francisco Treasurer & Tax Collector Overview for Property Tax Payments
The county of san francisco tax collector is not usually branded as a separate county-only tax office. The official name is the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector for the City and County of San Francisco. This office handles property tax payments, business tax payments, fees, delinquent obligations and other payment services owed to the city and county.
For property owners, the most common tasks are viewing a property tax bill, making a secured or unsecured property tax payment, checking payment history, understanding postmark rules, mailing a payment, or visiting City Hall Room 140. The official payment page explains that property tax payments can be made online, by mail or in person.
Do not confuse the Treasurer & Tax Collector with the Office of the Assessor-Recorder. The Tax Collector collects bills and payments. The Assessor-Recorder identifies and assesses taxable property, records property documents and handles property-related exemptions and records. If your bill amount is wrong because of assessment, ownership, exemption or address issues, start with the Assessor-Recorder side.
County of San Francisco Tax Collector: Quick Facts Before You Pay or Visit
| Question | Current Public Information | What You Should Do |
|---|---|---|
| Official office name | Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector, City and County of San Francisco. | Use sftreasurer.org for official property tax payment information. |
| City Hall office | 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, City Hall Room 140, San Francisco, CA 94102. | Use the map section and confirm service needs before visiting. |
| Office hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. | Walk-ins for assistance are accepted until 4:00 PM. |
| Cashier payments | Payments at the cashier window are accepted until 5:00 PM. | Arrive earlier if you need staff help, forms or account review. |
| Mail property tax payment | Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector, P.O. Box 7426, San Francisco, CA 94120-7426. | Do not send cash; include Block and Lot number on the memo line. |
| Payee | Make check or money order payable to “SF Tax Collector.” | Follow the exact instructions on the bill or official payment page. |
| First secured installment | For bills mailed July-October, delinquent after 5:00 PM on December 10. | Pay or get an acceptable USPS postmark by the deadline. |
| Second secured installment | For bills mailed July-October, delinquent after 5:00 PM on April 10. | Late payment adds 10% plus applicable fees. |
San Francisco Tax Collector Office Hours, Open Today and City Hall Notes
Searches like “San Francisco Tax Collector open now,” “county of San Francisco tax collector hours today” and “City Hall property tax payment near me” should be checked against the official Treasurer & Tax Collector page. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in Room 140.
County of San Francisco Tax Collector Open Today
If today is Monday through Friday and not a city holiday, the office is generally open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Walk-ins for assistance are accepted until 4:00 PM. Payments at the cashier window are accepted until 5:00 PM. If today is Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, do not assume in-person tax office service is available.
City Hall Room 140 vs Online Payment
City Hall Room 140 is useful when you need in-person support, cashier payment, forms, account help or payment documentation. But the official secured-property-tax page encourages avoiding long lines and wait times at City Hall by paying online or by mail. If the bill is straightforward, online payment is usually the cleaner option.
Best Time to Visit the Tax Collector Office
The worst time to visit is right before major tax deadlines, especially December 10 and April 10. If you need staff assistance, arrive before the walk-in assistance cutoff, not just before the cashier window closes. If your issue involves the Assessor-Recorder, confirm that office separately because Room 140 is not the same as Assessor-Recorder service.
Pay San Francisco Property Taxes Online, by Mail or In Person
The county of san francisco tax collector payment process gives taxpayers three main choices: online, mail and in person. Online payment is useful for quick bill lookup and payment. Mail payment is useful for check or money order users. In-person payment is useful when you need direct cashier service or staff help.
Pay San Francisco Property Taxes Online
Use the official Treasurer & Tax Collector property tax payment page to view a property tax bill and make a payment. The help center also notes that current-year secured property tax statements can be viewed, printed and paid online, and that payment history can be checked online using Block and Lot or property address.
Pay San Francisco Property Taxes by Mail
For property tax payments by mail, make the check or money order payable to “SF Tax Collector.” Include the Block and Lot number on the memo line. Mail payments to Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector, P.O. Box 7426, San Francisco, CA 94120-7426. Do not mail cash.
Pay San Francisco Property Taxes in Person
For in-person payment, visit the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector at City Hall, Room 140. The office is open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, with walk-ins for assistance accepted until 4:00 PM and cashier payments accepted until 5:00 PM.
💳 Online Payment
Best for quick tax bill lookup, current-year secured property tax statements, payment history and avoiding City Hall lines.
✉️ Mail Payment
Best for check or money order users, but only if mailed early enough for an acceptable USPS postmark.
🏢 In-Person Payment
Best for cashier payments, direct support, account questions and taxpayers who need help at City Hall.
San Francisco Property Tax Payment Fees, Postmarks and Returned Payment Rules
San Francisco’s most dangerous property-tax payment issue is often not the payment method itself. It is timing. The official property tax payment page says tax payments must be received or postmarked by the due date to avoid penalties. If a payment is received after the due date with no acceptable postmark, the payment is considered late and penalties are imposed.
Postmark Rules for Mailed Payments
USPS postmarks matter. The official page explains that postmarks are imprints showing the USPS office, state, zip code and date of mailing. Foreign postmarks and private metered postage are not acceptable. If you are mailing close to the deadline, walking the payment to a USPS counter and requesting a proper postmark is stronger than dropping it in a mailbox at the last minute.
Returned Payment Risk
The official help center says that if a payment is returned by a financial institution, the taxpayer must remit payment in full. A $50 payment failure fee can apply, plus a 10% late penalty and applicable fees if the payment is submitted after the deadline. That is brutal, so do not submit a payment unless account details and funds are correct.
Cashier Window Timing
City Hall cashier payments are accepted until 5:00 PM, but walk-in assistance ends earlier. If you need help figuring out the correct bill, penalty, Block and Lot, or payment status, do not show up at 4:55 PM and expect full service. Payment deadlines use precise times, and secured bills list delinquency after 5:00 PM.
| Payment Topic | Officially Listed Information | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Property tax mail payee | Make check or money order payable to “SF Tax Collector.” | Do not abbreviate if your bill gives exact wording. |
| Property tax mail address | Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector, P.O. Box 7426, San Francisco, CA 94120-7426. | Do not send cash by mail. |
| Memo line | Include Block and Lot number. | This reduces payment-posting risk. |
| Postmark rule | Payments must be received or postmarked by the due date. | Private metered postage and foreign postmarks are not acceptable. |
| Returned payment | $50 payment failure fee may apply, plus penalties and fees if late. | Check bank information and available funds before paying. |
San Francisco Tax Collector vs Assessor-Recorder: Which Office Handles Your Problem?
Many taxpayers search for the county of san francisco tax collector when their real issue belongs to the Office of the Assessor-Recorder. The Tax Collector collects payment. The Assessor-Recorder identifies and assesses taxable property, records property documents and provides property assessment and exemption services.
Use the Treasurer & Tax Collector for Payment Questions
Use the Treasurer & Tax Collector when your question is about paying a property tax bill, mailing a payment, viewing current tax statements, checking payment history, handling delinquent taxes, asking about postmarks or visiting the cashier window. The payment office controls collection, not assessment value.
Use the Assessor-Recorder for Values, Records and Exemptions
Use the Assessor-Recorder when your question is about assessed value, property characteristics, ownership records, property documents, mailing address changes, disaster relief, homeowners’ exemption, exclusions or other property-assessment paperwork. San Francisco now provides an Assessor-Recorder community portal for property assessment information and common property tax exemption forms.
Why This Split Matters Near December 10 and April 10
If you believe your assessment is wrong, the tax deadline does not automatically pause. You may need to protect the payment deadline while separately working through Assessor-Recorder or appeal processes. Waiting until the last day and then calling the wrong office is the exact mistake this guide is designed to prevent.
San Francisco Secured Property Tax Due Dates and Delinquent Taxes
For secured property tax bills mailed between July 1 and October, San Francisco lists the first installment as delinquent after 5:00 PM on December 10, with a 10% penalty. The second installment is delinquent after 5:00 PM on April 10, with a 10% penalty plus applicable fees.
First and Second Installment Deadlines
Property owners should treat the installment deadlines as hard deadlines. If the first installment is late, the 10% penalty can apply. If the second installment is late, the 10% penalty plus applicable fees can apply. Do not rely on memory because supplemental, escape, unsecured and late-mailed bills can use different timing rules.
Late-Mailed Bills and Special Due Dates
San Francisco’s secured-property-tax page explains that bills mailed between November 1 and June 30 follow different delinquency rules based on the mail date printed on the bill. If your bill was not mailed during the normal July-October window, use the actual bill’s printed mail date and official schedule.
Delinquent Property Tax Risk
If a bill remains delinquent through June 30, San Francisco says the bill becomes tax-defaulted and transfers to the redemption tax roll. It then continues to accrue 1.5% per month of the unpaid delinquent tax amount, which is 18% per year, until paid in full, plus a one-time redemption fee. That is why unpaid secured taxes should not be ignored.
Official Portal Confusion: Treasurer, Tax Collector, Assessor and Business Taxes
San Francisco tax searches can show several official pages. “Treasurer,” “Tax Collector,” “Assessor-Recorder,” “business tax,” “property tax,” “unsecured property tax” and “delinquent obligations” are not the same thing. The safest approach is to identify the tax type first.
Use sftreasurer.org for Tax Payment
Use sftreasurer.org when you need to pay property taxes, business taxes, fees or delinquent obligations owed to the City and County of San Francisco. The payment page has separate paths for property tax payment and business tax or fee payment.
Use Assessor-Recorder for Assessment and Records
Use sf.gov Assessor-Recorder pages when you need property assessment information, recorded documents, exemptions, exclusions, disaster relief, ownership records or address changes tied to assessment records. Those are not Tax Collector payment functions.
Do Not Mix Property Tax and Business Tax Mail Addresses
San Francisco uses different P.O. Boxes for different payment types. Property tax payments go to P.O. Box 7426, while business tax and registration fee payments use a different P.O. Box. Do not copy a business-tax mail address for property tax payment.
How to Prepare Before Paying San Francisco Taxes or Visiting City Hall
A clean payment starts with the correct bill and office. Gather your property address, Block and Lot number, tax bill, installment amount, payment method and deadline. If mailing, prepare the envelope early enough to obtain an acceptable USPS postmark.
- Confirm the tax type Decide whether you are paying secured property tax, unsecured property tax, business tax, fees or delinquent obligations.
- Use the official payment page Start from sftreasurer.org and choose the correct payment category before entering payment details.
- Verify Block and Lot information Use the correct Block and Lot number when searching online or writing a mailed payment memo.
- Check the deadline and postmark rule For mailed payments, use an acceptable USPS postmark and do not rely on private metered postage.
- Use the right office for corrections Contact the Assessor-Recorder for value, exemptions, ownership and property records; use the Tax Collector for payment issues.
- Arrive early for City Hall help Walk-ins for assistance end at 4:00 PM, even though cashier payments continue until 5:00 PM.
Official Resources and Trusted San Francisco Tax Links
The safest way to handle San Francisco taxes is to start with official sources. Use independent guides for explanation, but use official San Francisco pages for payment, deadlines, mailing rules and assessment questions.
San Francisco Tax Collector Map and Directions
This is a location-specific San Francisco guide, so the map uses the verified City Hall tax office location: 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, City Hall Room 140, San Francisco, CA 94102. Before driving, confirm office hours, walk-in timing, cashier timing and whether your issue can be handled online or by mail.
San Francisco Tax Collector Contact and Mailing Information
The Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector is located at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, City Hall Room 140, San Francisco, CA 94102. For property tax payment by mail, use Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector, P.O. Box 7426, San Francisco, CA 94120-7426. Make checks and money orders payable to SF Tax Collector and include the Block and Lot number on the memo line.
| Contact Need | Official Contact Path | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| City Hall office | 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, City Hall Room 140, San Francisco, CA 94102 | In-person help, cashier payments and tax office visits. |
| Office hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Walk-ins for assistance accepted until 4:00 PM. |
| Cashier payment timing | Payments at cashier window accepted until 5:00 PM | Use for in-person payment timing. |
| Property tax mail payment | P.O. Box 7426, San Francisco, CA 94120-7426 | Check or money order property tax payments. |
| Payee | SF Tax Collector | Use exact official payee instructions on your bill. |
| Assessment / exemption questions | Office of the Assessor-Recorder | Value, property records, exemptions, exclusions and assessment questions. |
Frequently Asked Questions About County of San Francisco Tax Collector
💳 How do I pay San Francisco property taxes online?
Use the official San Francisco Treasurer & Tax Collector property tax payment page. You can view a property tax bill and make payment online through the official payment path.
📍 Where is the San Francisco Tax Collector office?
The Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector is at San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 140, San Francisco, CA 94102.
🕒 What are San Francisco Tax Collector office hours?
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Walk-ins for assistance are accepted until 4:00 PM, and payments at the cashier window are accepted until 5:00 PM.
✉️ 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. Do not send cash.
🧾 Who should San Francisco property tax checks be payable to?
Make checks or money orders payable to “SF Tax Collector.” Include the Block and Lot number on the memo line to help the office post the payment correctly.
📅 When is the first San Francisco secured property tax installment delinquent?
For secured bills mailed between July 1 and October, the first installment is delinquent after 5:00 PM on December 10 and carries a 10% penalty if late.
📅 When is the second San Francisco secured property tax installment delinquent?
For secured bills mailed between July 1 and October, the second installment is delinquent after 5:00 PM on April 10 and carries a 10% penalty plus applicable fees if late.
⚠️ What happens if San Francisco property taxes stay delinquent?
If a bill remains delinquent through June 30, it becomes tax-defaulted and transfers to the redemption tax roll, where it can accrue 1.5% per month of the unpaid delinquent amount until paid in full, plus a one-time redemption fee.
🏠 Should I contact the Tax Collector or Assessor-Recorder?
Contact the Treasurer & Tax Collector for payment, receipts, postmarks, delinquent tax and cashier questions. Contact the Assessor-Recorder for assessed value, exemptions, exclusions, property records and ownership-record questions.
📮 What postmarks are accepted for mailed payments?
San Francisco explains that USPS postmarks are used to show the date of mailing. Foreign postmarks and private metered postage are not acceptable. If mailing near a deadline, use a USPS counter and request a proper postmark.
ℹ️ Is TaxCollectors.org the official San Francisco Tax Collector website?
No. TaxCollectors.org is an independent informational guide. Always verify payment links, deadlines, mailing addresses, postmark rules and office hours directly with the official San Francisco Treasurer & Tax Collector website.
Editorial note: This guide is for public information only and is not the official San Francisco Treasurer & Tax Collector website. Property tax payment methods, due dates, penalty rules, postmark rules, office hours, mailing addresses and service availability can change. Always verify directly with sftreasurer.org, the Assessor-Recorder, or official San Francisco government pages before submitting payment or visiting City Hall.
Final Summary: Best Way to Use the County of San Francisco Tax Collector
The county of san francisco tax collector office most taxpayers need is the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector at City Hall Room 140. It is the correct starting point for property tax payment, mail payment, cashier payment, postmark rules, delinquent obligations and payment history.
The safest payment path is to use the official San Francisco Treasurer & Tax Collector property tax payment page, verify the bill and Block and Lot number, pay early or mail with an acceptable USPS postmark, and save proof of payment. If visiting City Hall, remember that walk-in assistance ends at 4:00 PM even though cashier payments continue until 5:00 PM.
If the issue is value, ownership, exemptions, property records or assessment paperwork, use the Assessor-Recorder instead of the Tax Collector. If the issue is payment, receipt, delinquency, postmark or tax bill payment, use the Treasurer & Tax Collector. That office split is the key to avoiding wrong-office delays and late penalties.