Marin County Tax Collector: Pay, Search & Get Office Help
Use this page when you need to find a Marin County property tax bill, pay online, pay by phone or mail, visit the San Rafael office, or work out whether your question belongs with the Tax Collector or the Assessor.
Quick Answer: Where Should You Start?
If you need to look up or pay a Marin County property tax bill, start with the County of Marin’s official online tax-bill service. It handles secured and unsecured property tax bill lookup and online payment. You can also pay by phone, mail or in person.
The Tax Collector’s public office is at 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 202, San Rafael, CA 94903. Marin County currently lists regular public hours as Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays. The property-tax contact number is 415-473-6133.
If the issue is the assessed value, exemption, ownership-related assessment record or mailing address, switch to the Marin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk. That office handles assessment work; the Tax Collector handles collection and payment matters.
On this page
Marin County Property Tax Search and Online Payment
The official Marin County tax-bill application lets taxpayers look up secured and unsecured property tax bills and pay online. You will need the property identifier requested by the county service, including the assessor parcel number for online property-tax access.
Tax Bill Online
Use the official county application when you need to find a bill, review the account or make an online payment.
Open Tax Bill OnlinePayment Options
Review online, phone, mail, in-office and financial-institution payment information before choosing a method.
View Payment OptionsAssessor Search
Use the Assessor’s system when your question concerns assessment records, parcel information or maps rather than payment.
Open Assessor SearchBefore entering bank or card information
Confirm that you are on a County of Marin service, that the property identifier matches your bill, and that the tax period and amount are correct. Do not use an unrelated payment site simply because it appears in a search result.
Marin County Property Tax Payment Fees
The tax itself and the cost of the payment method are separate questions. Marin County’s current payment page says the third-party processor charges a fee for credit and debit card payments, while e-check payments have no service charge.
| Payment method | Current county information | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| E-check | No service fee is listed by Marin County. | Enter bank information carefully and save the confirmation. |
| Credit/debit card | 2.35% third-party service fee, $1.49 minimum. | Review the final amount before authorizing payment. |
| Returned payment | $40 processing/NSF fee may apply. | Make sure account information and available funds are correct. |
| No online convenience fee because payment is sent by mail. | Follow the county’s current postmark and mailing instructions. |
Why the fee percentage matters
A percentage-based card fee can become significant on a large property-tax payment. If you prefer to avoid the listed card service fee, the county currently states that e-check has no service fee. Always verify the live payment screen because processor terms can change.
Marin County Property Tax Due Dates and Penalties
Do not treat every Marin County tax bill as having the same schedule. The regular annual secured property-tax calendar is different from unsecured and supplemental bills.
| Tax item | Normal checkpoint | If unpaid |
|---|---|---|
| Secured, first installment | Due November 1; delinquent after 5 p.m. December 10. | 10% penalty after the delinquent cutoff. |
| Secured, second installment | Due February 1; delinquent after 5 p.m. April 10. | Additional 10% penalty plus $20 administrative cost. |
| Unsecured property tax | Annual bills generally become delinquent after 5 p.m. August 31. | 10% penalty plus additional charges under the applicable rules. |
| Tax-defaulted property | Unpaid secured taxes can become tax-defaulted after the June 30 cutoff. | Additional redemption penalties and costs can accrue. |
For a specific bill, use the official Marin County Property Tax Calendar together with the dates printed on your notice. Supplemental bills can have their own delinquency dates.
Do not rely on a generic tax calculator
A nationwide penalty calculator cannot reliably determine your Marin County payoff. Late charges depend on the bill type, delinquency history and applicable California rules. For a delinquent or tax-defaulted account, ask the Tax Collector for the amount required to resolve the actual account.
Marin County Tax Collector Office Address, Hours and Phone
Room 202
San Rafael, CA 94903
Property tax billing and collection questions. California Relay Service: 711.
9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., excluding county holidays.
Visiting near a deadline?
Regular hours are not a promise that a deadline day will operate exactly like an ordinary weekday. Check the county’s current notices before travelling, especially around holidays or major payment deadlines.
Pay Marin County Property Tax by Mail
Marin County currently lists the following payment mailing address:
Marin County Tax Collector
P.O. Box 4220
San Rafael, CA 94913-4220
Make checks or money orders payable to Marin County Tax Collector. Include the applicable installment stub with your payment and do not send cash through the mail.
Postmark timing matters
Marin County says mailed payments should be postmarked by the applicable delinquent date. The county also warns that USPS postmarking happens when mail is processed, not necessarily when you place an envelope into a mailbox.
If you are close to a deadline, do not assume a late-day mailbox drop will produce the postmark you need. Keep your mailing receipt or other proof and follow the county’s current instructions.
Pay Marin County Property Tax by Phone
Marin County provides a telephone payment option at 1-800-985-7277. Have your tax bill number ready before calling.
Good use case for phone payment
Phone payment can be useful when you already have the bill number and want to complete the transaction without using the online search page. It is still important to leave enough time before a delinquency cutoff and save the confirmation information.
Marin County Tax Collector vs Assessor: Which Office Do You Need?
This is one of the most important distinctions on a Marin County property-tax page. The Tax Collector and Assessor work on different parts of the property-tax system.
Choose the office based on your problem
Tax Collector
- Property tax payments
- Tax bill and payment questions
- Payment status and receipts
- Late-payment and collection questions
- Tax-defaulted property procedures
Assessor
- Assessed value
- Assessment records and parcel information
- Exemptions and exclusions
- Ownership-related assessment questions
- Mailing-address changes for property-tax records
Common Marin County Property Tax Problems
I cannot find my tax bill
Start with the official online tax-bill service. Check the property identifier carefully. If the bill still cannot be found, contact the Tax Collector rather than assuming no bill exists.
My mortgage company was supposed to pay
Check your lender or impound-account records. Marin County says owners remain responsible for making sure property taxes are paid by the deadline, so confirm the lender’s payment status instead of paying twice without checking.
My payment is not posted
Keep the confirmation number, payment date, amount, account information and bank/card record. Contact the Tax Collector with those details if the account does not reflect the payment.
My bill has the wrong mailing address
The Assessor handles the property-tax mailing address record. Use the official Assessor address-change process instead of assuming the Tax Collector can change the assessment record.
I disagree with the assessed value
This is an assessment issue, not a payment-method issue. Start with the Marin County Assessor and review the county’s assessment and appeal information.
I received a delinquent or tax-default notice
Do not estimate the payoff with a generic calculator. Contact the Tax Collector and use the actual account and current official instructions.
How to Pay Marin County Property Tax Safely
- Start with the County of Marin. Open the official payment page or tax-bill service instead of using an unrelated payment result.
- Find the correct property account. Match the parcel/property identifier and other identifying information to your bill.
- Confirm the billing period. Make sure you are paying the intended tax year, installment or bill type.
- Check the deadline. Use the county calendar and the actual notice, particularly if a payment is close to delinquency.
- Choose the payment method. Compare e-check, card, phone, mail and in-person options and review any applicable fee.
- Submit only after checking the total. Re-read the property, account and amount before authorizing the transaction.
- Save proof. Keep the confirmation, receipt, payment date, amount and related bank or card record.
- Use the correct office for follow-up. Tax Collector for billing/payment issues; Assessor for value, exemptions and assessment records.
Delinquent and Tax-Defaulted Marin County Property Taxes
Late property taxes need more care than a normal online payment. Marin County states that secured installments can receive statutory penalties after their delinquent dates, and property with unpaid secured taxes after the June 30 cutoff can become tax-defaulted.
Once a property is tax-defaulted, additional redemption penalties and costs can accrue. Marin County also explains that properties remaining tax-defaulted for five years or more can become subject to the Tax Collector’s power to sell.
Do not guess a delinquent payoff
The exact amount needed to resolve a delinquent or tax-defaulted account depends on the actual account history and current charges. Contact the Tax Collector for the official amount and applicable redemption instructions.
If you are researching a tax-defaulted property for purchase, that is a separate and higher-risk process. Marin County describes its tax-sale properties as “as is” and warns that buyers must independently investigate issues such as zoning, utilities, condition, legal status and other liens.
Read the official Marin County tax-defaulted land-sale information
New Marin County Property Owners: What to Check
Buying a property does not automatically mean that every tax question has been settled at closing. Marin County explains that annual secured taxes are generally prorated between buyer and seller during escrow, but the new owner remains responsible for taxes that were not paid as required.
Check your closing paperwork
Review the escrow statement and title documents to understand what taxes were credited or paid at closing. If the payment history is unclear, ask the title or escrow company what was actually submitted.
Check the county account
Use the official Marin County tax-bill service to identify the account and current bill rather than relying only on documents received from the seller.
Official Marin County Links to Bookmark
Main official property-tax collection information, FAQs and related services.
Open Marin County Tax Collector
Online, phone, mail, in-office and lender payment information.
Open Official Payment Page
Lookup and payment service for secured and unsecured property tax bills.
Open Official Tax Bill Service
Official schedule of important California and Marin County property-tax dates.
Open Tax Calendar
Use for assessed value, exemptions, parcel information and assessment-related services.
Open Assessor Services
Frequently Asked Questions About Marin County Tax Collector
How do I pay Marin County property tax online?
Use the official Marin County tax-bill online service. Find the correct bill, confirm the property and billing period, review the payment total and fee, then save the confirmation after payment.
What is the Marin County Tax Collector phone number?
The Tax Collector lists (415) 473-6133 for property tax questions. California Relay Service users can dial 711.
Where is the Marin County Tax Collector office?
The office is at 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 202, San Rafael, CA 94903.
What are the Marin County Tax Collector office hours?
Regular public hours are listed as Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding county holidays. Check the county site before travelling near a deadline.
Is there an e-check fee?
Marin County’s current payment page says there is no service fee for e-check payments.
What is the card payment fee?
The current county payment page lists a 2.35% third-party service fee for credit and debit cards, with a $1.49 minimum.
When are secured Marin County property taxes due?
The regular schedule has the first installment due November 1 and delinquent after December 10, and the second installment due February 1 and delinquent after April 10. Check the official calendar and your specific bill for the applicable deadline.
Who handles assessed value or exemptions?
The Marin County Assessor handles assessment records, assessed value and exemptions. The Tax Collector handles collection and payment matters.
Where do I mail my property tax payment?
Marin County lists Marin County Tax Collector, P.O. Box 4220, San Rafael, CA 94913-4220. Make checks or money orders payable to Marin County Tax Collector and follow the current county mailing instructions.
What if my property tax payment is late?
Late secured property-tax payments can receive statutory penalties. Use the official county penalty information and contact the Tax Collector for an account-specific issue rather than estimating the amount yourself.
What if I did not receive my tax bill?
Use the official online tax-bill service or contact the Tax Collector. Marin County states that failure to receive a tax bill does not remove the responsibility to pay on time.
Is TaxCollectors.org the official Marin County Tax Collector?
No. TaxCollectors.org is an independent informational guide. Use the official County of Marin websites and services for account actions and payments.
Bottom Line: Use the Right Marin County Tax Office
For a normal Marin County property-tax payment, the simplest path is to start with the official county tax-bill service, verify the property and billing period, review the payment method and save the confirmation.
For billing, payment status, receipts, delinquency and collection questions, contact the Marin County Tax Collector. For assessed value, exemptions, assessment records or mailing-address changes, use the Marin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk.
TaxCollectors.org is independent of Marin County and does not collect payments or access individual tax accounts. Official county sources should control whenever dates, fees, balances, office availability or legal procedures change.
The TaxCollectors.org Editorial Team researches and reviews U.S. tax collector offices, property tax procedures, payment resources, deadlines, and official government links. TaxCollectors.org is an independent information publication operated by Quarks Systems Global Solutions.