Los Angeles County Tax Collector: Pay Property Tax & Office
Use this LA County Tax Collector guide to pay Los Angeles County property tax online, check the official Treasurer and Tax Collector office address, understand secured property tax due dates, find AIN payment requirements, compare eCheck and card fees, and avoid wrong city, assessor or third-party payment pages.
🧭 LA County Tax Collector Open Today: What to Confirm First
The la county tax collector search usually refers to the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, the official county office that collects secured property taxes, unsecured property taxes and certain other county tax payments. For ordinary homeowners, the most common task is paying an annual secured property tax bill using the Assessor’s Identification Number, also called the AIN.
Los Angeles County uses a Treasurer and Tax Collector structure, not a small city tax office. That distinction matters because the City of Los Angeles Office of Finance handles city business taxes and city taxpayer services, while the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector handles county property tax payment. If you use the wrong office, your payment question may not be solved and your deadline can still pass.
LA County Property Tax Office Overview for Homeowners and Bill Payments
The la county tax collector is officially the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector. This office collects Los Angeles County property taxes, processes property tax payments, provides public inquiries, manages tax-defaulted property matters and supports related county tax services. For homeowners, buyers, escrow users and landlords, the most important service is secured property tax payment.
LA County secured property taxes are tied to real property. Your annual bill uses an Assessor’s Identification Number, commonly called an AIN. The AIN is the key identifier you need for most online payment, tax balance, tax bill and payment history tasks. If you only search by address and cannot locate the exact property, the Assessor’s portal can help you identify the AIN before you pay.
The in-person secured property tax counter is listed at Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 225 North Hill Street, First Floor Lobby, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Public service hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time, excluding Los Angeles County holidays. The general Treasurer and Tax Collector contact address is 500 W Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
LA County Tax Collector: Quick Facts Before You Pay or Visit
| Question | Current Public Information | What You Should Do |
|---|---|---|
| What is the official office name? | Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector. | Use official TTC pages for property tax payment, not city business tax pages. |
| Where is the secured property tax counter? | 225 North Hill Street, First Floor Lobby, Los Angeles, CA 90012. | Use the map section and confirm county holidays before visiting. |
| What are the hours? | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time, excluding LA County holidays. | Do not rely only on third-party map listings. |
| Can I pay online? | Yes. Online payments are available 24/7 up to 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the delinquency date. | Have your AIN and payment information ready. |
| Is eCheck free? | Online eCheck is listed with no cost to the taxpayer. | Confirm your bank account is ACH-enabled. |
| What is the card fee? | Credit/debit card fee is listed as 2.22% with a $1.49 minimum per transaction. | Compare card cost before paying a large bill by card. |
| When are secured tax installments due? | First installment due November 1, delinquent after December 10; second due February 1, delinquent after April 10. | Pay early and watch weekend/holiday deadline rules. |
LA County Tax Collector Office Hours, Open Today and Visit Rules
Searches like “LA County Tax Collector open now,” “Los Angeles County property tax office hours” and “tax collector office near me” can mislead users if they mix payment counters, business license offices, unsecured tax service and public finance offices. The secured property tax contact page lists 225 North Hill Street, First Floor Lobby, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time, excluding county holidays.
LA County Tax Collector Open Today for Secured Property Tax Help
If today is a regular Monday through Friday and not a Los Angeles County holiday, the public secured property tax counter is generally listed as open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time. Still, do not make the lazy assumption that every tax issue can be solved by showing up. Some questions are better handled by online self-service, public inquiry forms, the Assessor, escrow/lender contact or payment history tools.
Downtown Los Angeles Office Visit Reality Check
The downtown office is useful when you need in-person payment support, but it can cost time. You may need to deal with traffic, parking, building access, lines and document checks. If your task is a standard current-year secured property tax payment, online eCheck is usually the cleaner path because it avoids card fees and office travel.
Lancaster Payment Location Warning
The official payment page also lists 335A East Avenue K-6, Lancaster, CA 93535, but only for Annual Secured Property Tax Bill installment delinquency dates. That location does not accept cash, and it is not the same as a full everyday payment office. Do not drive to Lancaster assuming normal full-service tax counter access without checking the official page.
Pay LA County Property Tax Online, by Mail, Phone or In Person
The la county tax collector payment process gives taxpayers several paths: online eCheck, online credit or debit card, phone payment, mailed payment and in-person payment. The best method depends on your deadline, the amount due, your fee tolerance and whether you have your AIN and payment details ready.
Pay LA County Property Tax Online
Online payment is the most practical option for many users. You need your Assessor’s Identification Number to search, retrieve payment information and make a payment. Online payments are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, up to 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the delinquency date. This is especially useful if you are close to the deadline and want to avoid mail-postmark risk.
Pay LA County Property Tax by Mail
For mailed payments, make your check or money order payable to the Los Angeles County Tax Collector, write the AIN on the lower left corner of the check or money order, include the payment stub and mail to Los Angeles County Tax Collector, P.O. Box 54018, Los Angeles, CA 90054-0018. Do not mail payment to the Assessor’s Office if you are paying the Treasurer and Tax Collector.
Pay LA County Property Tax by Phone
Phone payment is available for major credit and debit card payments by calling toll-free 1.888.473.0835. You need your AIN, year and sequence from the secured property tax bill. This method has the same core weakness as other card payments: a service fee applies, so it should be used when the convenience is worth the added cost.
Pay LA County Property Tax in Person
In-person payments are accepted at 225 North Hill Street, First Floor Lobby, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time, excluding LA County holidays. The office accepts cash, check, money order, cashier’s check and major credit/debit cards at this location. Credit/debit card limits and fees apply.
💳 Online
Best for most current-year payments. eCheck has no cost to the taxpayer, while credit/debit card payments carry a service fee.
✉️ Mail
Best for check or money order users who mail early. Write the AIN clearly and use the official P.O. Box address.
🏢 In Person
Best when you need direct counter service or cash payment. Confirm hours, holidays and address before going downtown.
LA County Property Tax Payment Fees and Accepted Payment Types
Payment fees are where users make expensive mistakes. The tax amount is one thing; the payment-processing cost is another. Online eCheck is listed with no cost to the taxpayer, while credit and debit card payments carry a service fee of 2.22% of the transaction amount with a $1.49 minimum. For large property tax bills, that card fee can be significant.
Online eCheck Payment Cost
The official payment page lists no cost for online electronic check payments. Each eCheck transaction is limited to $2,500,000. Your bank account must be ACH-enabled. If your bank account has a debit block, you may need to authorize ACH debits from Los Angeles County using the official company identification instructions listed by the county.
Credit and Debit Card Payment Cost
Credit and debit card payments are accepted online and by phone, but each card transaction includes a 2.22% service fee with a $1.49 minimum. Online card transactions are limited to $99,999.99, while in-person card transactions are limited to $75,000 including the service fee. Keep your confirmation number after payment.
Cash, Check, Money Order and Cashier’s Check
At the 225 North Hill Street secured tax counter, the county lists cash, check, money order, cashier’s check and major credit/debit cards as accepted payment methods. For mailed payments, use check or money order instructions and include the correct payment stub. Do not include staples, clips, tape or extra correspondence with mailed payment.
| Payment Method | Officially Listed Rule | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Online eCheck | No cost to taxpayer; transaction limit listed at $2,500,000. | Usually the best option if your bank account can process ACH. |
| Online credit/debit card | 2.22% service fee, $1.49 minimum; transaction limit listed at $99,999.99. | Calculate the fee before using a card for a large bill. |
| Phone card payment | Call 1.888.473.0835; card fee applies. | Have AIN, year and sequence ready before calling. |
| In-person payment | Cash, check, money order, cashier’s check and major cards accepted at 225 North Hill Street. | Good for cash payment or counter help, but travel time matters. |
| Mail payment | Payable to Los Angeles County Tax Collector; mail to P.O. Box 54018. | Mail early and watch postmark rules. |
LA County Property Tax Due Dates, Penalties and Delinquent Deadlines
Los Angeles County annual secured property tax bills are mailed in October. The first installment is due November 1 and becomes delinquent by the close of business on December 10. The second installment is due February 1 and becomes delinquent by the close of business on April 10. These dates are fixed enough that you should build your payment plan around them, not around vague reminders.
First Installment Deadline
The first installment of the annual secured property tax bill is due November 1. If it is not paid by the close of business on December 10, penalties can apply. If December 10 falls on a weekend, the deadline is extended to the close of business on the next business day under the county’s published rule.
Second Installment Deadline
The second installment is due February 1 and becomes delinquent by the close of business on April 10. The same weekend extension principle applies when the delinquency date falls on Saturday or Sunday. Do not confuse this April 10 property tax deadline with IRS income tax deadlines or city tax deadlines.
Mail Postmark Risk
A mailed payment is risky when you wait until the deadline. LA County warns taxpayers to understand postmark rules because USPS does not postmark every type of mail in the same way, and mail may not be postmarked on the same day it is deposited. If you mail close to a deadline, you are accepting avoidable risk.
LA County AIN Lookup, Property Tax Bill Search and Payment History
The AIN is the central identifier for LA County property tax payments. AIN means Assessor’s Identification Number. It is a ten-digit number assigned by the Los Angeles County Assessor to each piece of real property. The format is commonly shown as four digits, three digits and three digits, such as 1234-567-890.
Where to Find Your AIN
Your AIN appears on your secured property tax bill. It is also available through the Los Angeles County Assessor Portal when you search by property address. If your online payment fails because you entered the wrong property number, stop and verify the AIN before trying again. Similar addresses and parcel changes can create expensive confusion.
When You Need Your PIN
Some LA County electronic payment functions also use a PIN printed on the secured property tax bill. The county notes that the PIN is used to protect security and privacy for electronic payments and that it cannot be disclosed over phone, email or fax. If you lost your bill, use official replacement and inquiry options instead of trusting a third-party lookup site.
Payment History and Bill Copies
LA County provides tools to view property tax bills, payment history and balance due. Payment history may not display online in every adjustment, refund, returned payment or correction situation. When the history tool does not show what you expect, submit an official public inquiry rather than guessing the account is clear.
LA County Tax Collector vs Assessor vs City Finance
One of the biggest user-intent problems around la county tax collector searches is office confusion. The Treasurer and Tax Collector collects payments. The Assessor values property and maintains property-identification data. The City of Los Angeles Office of Finance handles city taxpayer services such as business tax registration and certain city taxes. These are not interchangeable offices.
Use the Treasurer and Tax Collector for Payment Questions
Use the Treasurer and Tax Collector for payment options, property tax balance due, payment history, installment payment issues, delinquent tax payment questions, secured and unsecured tax inquiries, tax defaulted property matters and payment counters. If your question is “How do I pay?” or “Was my payment received?” this is usually the correct office.
Use the Assessor for Value, Ownership and Exemption Questions
Use the Los Angeles County Assessor if your issue involves assessed value, ownership records, exemptions, property characteristics, AIN lookup or property data. The Tax Collector does not set your assessed value. Fighting the payment office over a value issue is wasted effort unless you first understand the Assessor’s role.
Use the City Office of Finance for City Business Tax Questions
If your issue is a City of Los Angeles business tax registration certificate, parking occupancy tax, tobacco retail permit, police alarm permit or city taxpayer service, that is not the same as county property tax. Use the City of Los Angeles Office of Finance for city tax matters, and use the county Treasurer and Tax Collector for county property tax payment.
Official Portal Confusion: LA County Tax Collector vs Third-Party Sites
Property tax searches attract ads, payment services, lookalike pages, old blog posts and non-official directories. That is a real risk because payment errors can create penalties. The official Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector site is ttc.lacounty.gov, and the official payment system is linked from that site. The official property tax portal uses propertytax.lacounty.gov.
How to Know You Are on the Correct LA County Portal
The correct LA County payment path should connect back to the Treasurer and Tax Collector payment page and require property-specific details such as AIN. Be suspicious of generic “tax collector near me” pages that ask for personal or bank information before clearly identifying the official county payment system.
Do Not Confuse LA County With the City of LA
Los Angeles County property tax is not the same as City of Los Angeles business tax. A property owner in the City of Los Angeles still pays county property tax through the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector. A business owner dealing with city business tax uses the City of Los Angeles Office of Finance.
Escrow and Lender Confusion
If your mortgage lender pays property taxes from an escrow or impound account, do not assume you personally need to pay the bill. Check your mortgage statement, escrow account and lender payment status. Duplicate payment can create refund delays, while assuming escrow paid when it did not can create penalties.
How to Prepare Before Paying LA County Property Tax or Visiting the Office
A smooth LA County property tax payment depends on discipline. Do not wait until the deadline, do not use the wrong office, do not ignore card fees and do not mail to the wrong address. Most late-payment problems are boring, preventable process failures: missing AIN, wrong mailing address, no payment stub, unclear check memo, wrong portal or deadline confusion.
- Confirm the property is in Los Angeles County Match the property address, AIN and county before using the LA County Treasurer and Tax Collector payment system.
- Find your AIN before payment Use your secured property tax bill or the official Assessor Portal to confirm the correct Assessor’s Identification Number.
- Choose the lowest-risk payment method Use online eCheck when possible, consider card fees carefully, mail early or visit the office only when counter service is truly useful.
- Check installment deadline First installment becomes delinquent after December 10, and second installment becomes delinquent after April 10, subject to weekend rules.
- Use the exact mailing address Mail secured tax payments to Los Angeles County Tax Collector, P.O. Box 54018, Los Angeles, CA 90054-0018.
- Keep proof of payment Save confirmation numbers, receipts, bank records, mailed-payment proof and any inquiry response until the payment posts correctly.
Official Resources and Related Tax Collector Guides
The safest way to handle Los Angeles County property tax is to start with official county pages, then use independent guides only to understand the process. The links below help you verify payment options, view bills, find your AIN, check assessor data and avoid the wrong payment portal.
LA County Tax Collector Map and Directions
This is a location-specific Los Angeles County guide, so the map uses the verified secured property tax payment address: 225 North Hill Street, First Floor Lobby, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Before driving, confirm public hours, county holiday closures and whether your question can be handled online instead.
LA County Tax Collector Contact Information
For secured property tax inquiries, the listed address is Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 225 North Hill Street, First Floor Lobby, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Public hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time, excluding Los Angeles County holidays. The secured property tax phone number is 213.974.2111, with TTY 213.974.2196 and toll-free 888.807.2111.
| Contact Need | Official Contact Path | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Secured property tax questions | 213.974.2111 or toll-free 888.807.2111 | Payment, bill, balance and secured tax inquiries. |
| TTY | 213.974.2196 | TTY access for secured property tax service. |
| Phone card payment | 1.888.473.0835 | Credit/debit card phone payment with AIN, year and sequence. |
| Mail payment | Los Angeles County Tax Collector, P.O. Box 54018, Los Angeles, CA 90054-0018 | Check or money order payment with payment stub and AIN. |
| In-person payment | 225 North Hill Street, First Floor Lobby, Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Counter payment and in-person secured tax service. |
| Assessment or AIN search | Los Angeles County Assessor | Value, ownership, exemption and property-identification questions. |
Frequently Asked Questions About LA County Tax Collector
💳 How do I pay LA County property tax online?
Use the official Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector online payment system. You need your Assessor’s Identification Number to search and retrieve payment information. Online eCheck has no cost to the taxpayer, while credit/debit card payments carry a service fee.
📍 Where is the LA County Tax Collector office for secured property tax?
The secured property tax counter is listed at Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 225 North Hill Street, First Floor Lobby, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Confirm county holidays and office status before visiting.
🕒 What are LA County Tax Collector office hours?
The secured property tax counter is listed as open Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time, excluding Los Angeles County holidays.
✉️ Where do I mail LA County property tax payments?
Mail secured property tax payments to Los Angeles County Tax Collector, P.O. Box 54018, Los Angeles, CA 90054-0018. Make the check or money order payable to the Los Angeles County Tax Collector and write the AIN on it.
💵 Is LA County property tax eCheck free?
Yes. The official payment page lists no cost to the taxpayer for online eCheck payments. Your bank account must be ACH-enabled, and eCheck transaction limits apply.
💳 What is the LA County property tax credit card fee?
The official payment page lists a 2.22% service fee for credit/debit card payments, with a $1.49 minimum per transaction. Card transaction limits apply online, by phone and in person.
📅 When are LA County property taxes due?
The first secured property tax installment is due November 1 and becomes delinquent by the close of business on December 10. The second installment is due February 1 and becomes delinquent by the close of business on April 10.
🔢 What is an AIN for LA County property tax?
AIN means Assessor’s Identification Number. It is a ten-digit number assigned by the Los Angeles County Assessor to each piece of real property and is needed for many tax bill and online payment tasks.
🏠 Should I contact the Tax Collector or Assessor?
Contact the Treasurer and Tax Collector for payment, balance, payment history, delinquent tax and payment option questions. Contact the Assessor for value, ownership, exemption, AIN lookup and property record questions.
📞 Can I pay LA County property tax by phone?
Yes. Credit/debit card phone payment is available at 1.888.473.0835. You need the AIN, year and sequence from your secured property tax bill, and the card service fee applies.
ℹ️ Is TaxCollectors.org the official LA County Tax Collector website?
No. TaxCollectors.org is an independent informational guide. Always verify payment links, office hours, mailing addresses, processing fees, deadlines and tax rules directly with the official Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector website before paying.
Editorial note: This guide is for public information only and is not the official Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector website. Property tax payment methods, office hours, mailing instructions, processing fees, card limits, phone payment rules, due dates, penalty rules, public inquiry procedures and county holiday schedules can change. Always verify directly with the official LA County Treasurer and Tax Collector before submitting payment or visiting an office.
Final Summary: Best Way to Use LA County Tax Collector Services
The la county tax collector most property owners need is the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector. For secured property taxes, the official office address is 225 North Hill Street, First Floor Lobby, Los Angeles, CA 90012, and regular public hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time, excluding county holidays.
The strongest payment option for many taxpayers is online eCheck because the official page lists no cost to the taxpayer. Credit/debit card payments are available online, by phone and in person, but the 2.22% service fee can be expensive on a large tax bill. Mailed payments remain available, but they require the correct mailing address, payment stub, AIN and enough time for postmark rules.
Do not confuse the Tax Collector with the Assessor or the City of Los Angeles Office of Finance. The Treasurer and Tax Collector handles county property tax payments. The Assessor handles value, exemptions, ownership and AIN property data. The City Office of Finance handles city business tax and city taxpayer services. Use the right office first, or the deadline will not care that you asked the wrong question.