Monterey County Tax Collector: Property Search, Pay & Hours

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Monterey County • California • Treasurer-Tax Collector

Monterey County Tax Collector: Property Search, Pay & Hours

Looking for the Monterey County Tax Collector? This independent guide explains how to search a property-tax account, choose the right FEE or ASMT number, pay online or by phone, check payment fees, understand secured and supplemental tax deadlines, and contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector in Salinas.

TaxCollectors.org is an independent reference site. Use the official County of Monterey links on this page when you are ready to search a bill, make a payment or confirm an official deadline.

Start Here Payment Options Official Contact

Quick Answer: What Does the Monterey County Tax Collector Do?

The Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector is the county office responsible for billing, collecting, reporting and accounting for property taxes, including secured and unsecured taxes. The office also handles delinquent-tax and redemption matters and other county revenue functions.

For a normal property-tax payment, start with the Treasurer-Tax Collector. If your concern is the property’s assessed value, exemption, ownership or other assessment information, the County Assessor is the better place to start.

Search a tax bill

Use the county payment system and preferably search with the property’s FEE number to see the wider parcel history.

Pay the county

Online, phone, mail and in-person options are available, with different fees and identifier requirements.

Resolve an assessment issue

Value, ownership and exemption questions should generally be routed to the Monterey County Assessor.

FEE Number vs. ASMT Number

Both numbers may appear on a Monterey County tax bill, but they serve different purposes. Choosing the right number is one of the easiest ways to avoid an incomplete property-tax search.

Identifier What it does Best use Watch out for
FEE number Returns the broader set of tax bills associated with the property. Online property-tax search and checking for multiple outstanding bills. Review all returned assessments before deciding what needs to be paid.
ASMT number Opens one particular assessment. Specific bill identification and phone-payment transactions. It may not reveal every other assessment connected with the property.
No number available Requires another property-identification route. Use the Assessor’s property information or contact the Tax Division. Do not guess an account number.

Best practice

For an online check, start with the 12-digit FEE number. After the results load, compare the fiscal year, installment, assessment and balance before making a payment.

How to Pay Monterey County Property Tax

Monterey County provides several payment channels. The available identifier, accepted payment types and vendor fee depend on the method you choose.

Method Accepted payment Current fee / rule Important detail
Online Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, electronic checking or savings debit Card: 2.49%; E-check: $0.25. Card minimum fee: $1.95. Use the 12-digit FEE number for the broad online search.
Phone Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, electronic checking or savings debit Same published vendor fee schedule. Only current-year taxes can be paid by phone. Use the ASMT number.
In person Cash, personal check, cashier’s check, money order No online vendor fee at the cashier counter. Credit and debit cards are not accepted directly at cashier windows.
Mail Check, cashier’s check or money order No online vendor fee. Use the property-tax payment mailing address and protect the postmark.

Phone payment

Call 1-800-491-8003 for ACI Payments or call 831-755-5057 and choose Option 3. English and Spanish service are listed.

Only current-year taxes can be paid by phone. Prior-year delinquencies require another payment method.

Payment confirmation

Keep the confirmation number for online and phone transactions. If you are unsure whether a payment went through, verify the account before submitting another transaction.

Monterey County Property Tax Payment Fees

The online payment vendor charges service fees. These fees are separate from the property tax itself and are not set by the county.

Credit or debit card

2.49% of the transaction.

Minimum card service fee: $1.95.

E-check

$0.25 vendor fee.

Electronic checking or savings debit is available through the online payment system.

Cashier counter

Cash, checks, cashier’s checks and money orders are accepted at the county counter.

Online vendor fees do not apply to a counter payment.

Payment-site availability matters

The county states that it does not guarantee uninterrupted availability of its online payment websites. A system outage does not remove responsibility for delinquent fees or penalties, so do not make a deadline-day payment unnecessarily late.

Where to Mail Monterey County Property Tax Payments

Monterey County uses a specific mailing address for property-tax payments. It is different from the general Treasurer-Tax Collector correspondence address.

Property-tax payments

Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office
P.O. Box 6005
Whittier, CA 90607

Use this address for property-tax payments.

General correspondence

Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office
P.O. Box 891
Salinas, CA 93902-0891

This is for general correspondence, not the property-tax payment mailing route.

Protect the postmark

If you are mailing a payment close to a delinquency deadline, pay earlier rather than relying on last-minute postal timing. Keep a copy of the check, payment stub and mailing evidence. The county specifically warns taxpayers to understand postmark procedures when avoiding penalties.

Monterey County Secured Property Tax Due Dates

Secured property taxes are generally billed in two installments. The standard California schedule uses November 1 and February 1 as due dates, with December 10 and April 10 as the normal delinquency cutoffs.

Installment Due date Standard delinquency cutoff Penalty if late
First November 1 After 5:00 PM on December 10 10% of the first installment
Second February 1 After 5:00 PM on April 10 10% of the second installment + $20 cost
Tax default After the fiscal-year deadline Default/redemption rules apply Additional interest and statutory charges can apply

Due date and delinquent date are not the same

A tax installment can be due on November 1 or February 1 without being delinquent that same day. The standard delinquency dates are December 10 and April 10. When a delinquency date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the deadline can move to the next business day under the applicable rule.

For an account-specific amount or deadline, use the current official tax bill and county payment information rather than an old calendar copied from another California county.

Monterey County Supplemental Property Tax

A supplemental property-tax bill is separate from the regular annual secured bill. It can arise after a change of ownership or completed new construction changes the assessed value.

Supplemental bill timing

Bill mailed July–October First installment becomes delinquent after December 10; second installment becomes delinquent after April 10.
Bill mailed November–June The first installment becomes delinquent on the last day of the month after mailing; the second becomes delinquent on the last day of the fourth calendar month after the first delinquency date.
Important The actual bill controls. The delinquency dates are printed on the supplemental bill and should be checked before payment.

Do not assume your mortgage paid a supplemental bill

A supplemental assessment is separate from the regular annual property-tax bill. If you received one after buying property or completing new construction, check the bill carefully and confirm who is responsible for payment.

Official Supplemental Tax Information

Secured vs. Supplemental vs. Unsecured Property Tax

Not every Monterey County property-tax bill follows the same workflow. Identify the bill type before applying a deadline or payment assumption.

Bill type What it covers Key point
Secured property tax Real property such as land, residences, timeshares, business real property and certain manufactured homes. Regular annual bill with two installments.
Supplemental property tax Additional assessment associated with events such as a property transfer or completed new construction. Separate bill with a deadline determined by the mailing date.
Unsecured property tax Property not secured by real estate, including certain business personal property, aircraft and vessels. Follow the date and instructions printed on the unsecured bill.
Defaulted / redemption tax Secured taxes that remained unpaid after the applicable tax-default stage. Use the current redemption amount rather than the original annual bill.

The Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector maintains separate information for secured and unsecured property taxes. This separation is useful because payment and delinquency rules can differ.

What Happens If Monterey County Property Tax Is Delinquent?

A late secured installment can receive a statutory penalty. Continued nonpayment can move the property into tax-default and redemption procedures.

Stage What can happen What to do
First installment late 10% penalty on the first installment. Confirm the current amount due with the county.
Second installment late 10% penalty plus a $20 cost. Use the current account balance, not the original bill amount.
Tax default Redemption charges and monthly interest can apply under California law. Request the current redemption amount before paying.
Extended default Additional collection and tax-sale rules may apply. Review current county notices and redemption requirements.

Do not calculate a delinquent payoff from an old article

Defaulted taxes are account-specific. Interest, redemption charges and the planned payment date can change the amount required. Contact the Tax Collector or use the official county payment system for the current amount.

Official Secured Tax Resources

Should You Call the Tax Collector or the Assessor?

This is one of the most common points of confusion. The office that collects the tax is not necessarily the office that controls the assessment information.

Your question Start with Why
How much tax do I owe? Tax Collector The Treasurer-Tax Collector handles collection and payment information.
Did my payment post? Tax Collector Payment posting and receipts are collection functions.
What is my assessed value? County Assessor The Assessor handles property assessment information.
Why did ownership/value change? County Assessor Assessment and ownership-related records belong with the Assessor.
Do I qualify for a homeowner exemption? County Assessor Exemption claims are handled through the Assessor.
Can I appeal the assessment? Assessor / Assessment Appeals process The Tax Collector does not decide the assessed value.
Do I have a delinquent tax? Tax Collector Delinquent collection and redemption are Tax Collector functions.

Monterey County Assessor

168 W. Alisal Street, 1st Floor
Salinas, CA 93901

Phone: 831-755-5035

Official Assessor information

Assessment appeal reminder

Filing an assessment appeal does not automatically defer the property-tax payment obligation. Monterey County’s FAQ states that taxes must still be paid timely while an appeal is pending.

Options If Property Tax Payments Are Difficult

If two large annual installments are difficult to budget for, Monterey County provides information about several ways taxpayers may plan ahead. Some options are private services and are not controlled by the county.

Budget monthly

Estimate the annual tax obligation and set aside a portion each month so the funds are available when installments come due.

Mortgage impound

If applicable, ask your mortgage lender whether property taxes can be included in the monthly mortgage payment and remitted through the impound account.

Easy Smart Pay

The county identifies Easy Smart Pay as a private third-party monthly payment option. Review its independent terms and fees before using it.

Important third-party distinction

The county states that Easy Smart Pay is a private business and is not under the control of the Treasurer-Tax Collector. Do not confuse a third-party monthly budgeting service with the county’s own tax-collection system.

Official Tax Assistance Information

Monterey County Tax Collector Address, Phone & Hours

Public office 168 W. Alisal Street
1st Floor
Salinas, CA 93901
Tax Division phone 831-755-5057

Telephone staff: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.

Email taxcollector@countyofmonterey.gov
Public hours Monday–Friday
8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Closed on County holidays.

Fax 831-759-6623
Payment mailing address P.O. Box 6005
Whittier, CA 90607

Office hours and phone hours are different

The public office is listed as open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Tax Division telephone assistance is listed from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. County holidays can affect public-office availability.

Call 831-755-5057 Open Map Verify Official Details

How to Verify a Monterey County Tax Payment

  1. Keep the payment confirmation. Save the online receipt or phone confirmation number.
  2. Record the exact account. Keep the FEE or ASMT number, fiscal year and installment you paid.
  3. Check the payment method. Match the transaction to your bank or card statement.
  4. Confirm the correct bill. If you searched by FEE, make sure the intended assessment and installment were included.
  5. Contact the county if anything is unclear. Do not make a second payment simply because the status is temporarily unclear.

Phone-payment confirmation

The county’s phone-payment instructions tell taxpayers to note the confirmation number received after completing a payment. The system provides real-time posting and is designed not to accept a duplicate payment for the same installment.

Monterey County Property Tax Payment Checklist

1Confirm county

Make sure the property is in Monterey County, California.

2Find the FEE number

Use the 12-digit FEE number for the broad online search.

3Review all bills

Look for regular, supplemental and defaulted tax records.

4Identify bill type

Do not apply secured-tax dates to a different bill type.

5Check fees

Review the vendor charge before submitting an online payment.

6Save proof

Keep the confirmation, receipt or mailing evidence.

Official Monterey County Tax Collector Resources

County Treasurer-Tax Collector

Main official department page for property-tax collection, payment resources and county services.

Open Official Department

Tax Payment Options

Current payment methods, FEE and ASMT instructions, phone-payment rules and vendor fees.

Open Official Payment Options

Secured Property Tax

Official information about secured real-property taxes, bills, payment and delinquency resources.

Open Secured Property Tax

Supplemental Property Tax

Official supplemental assessment information and delinquency-date rules.

Open Supplemental Property Tax

Unsecured Property Tax

Official information for unsecured property-tax accounts and related services.

Open Unsecured Property Tax

Tax Collector Contact

Verify the current office address, public hours, Tax Division phone, email and payment mailing address.

Open Official Contact Page

County Assessor

Use the Assessor for assessed value, ownership, property characteristics and exemption questions.

Open Official Assessor

Monterey County Tax Collector FAQs

What is the Monterey County Tax Collector phone number?
The Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector Tax Division phone number is 831-755-5057. Telephone staff are listed as available from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Where is the Monterey County Tax Collector office?
The public office is at 168 W. Alisal Street, 1st Floor, Salinas, CA 93901.
What are Monterey County Tax Collector office hours?
The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s public office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding County holidays.
How do I search Monterey County property taxes?
Use the official county property-tax payment route. The county recommends using the 12-digit FEE number online because it can return all tax bills associated with the property, including supplemental and defaulted tax years.
What is the difference between a FEE number and an ASMT number?
An ASMT number identifies one specific assessment, while the FEE number can return the broader collection of tax bills associated with the property. The county recommends the FEE number for online payments.
How much does Monterey County charge for online property-tax payments?
The county currently lists a 2.49% vendor fee for credit and debit card transactions, with a $1.95 minimum, and a $0.25 vendor fee for E-check transactions.
Can I pay Monterey County property tax by phone?
Yes, but the county says only current-year taxes may be paid by phone. Use the 12-digit ASMT number. The payment lines are 1-800-491-8003 for ACI or 831-755-5057 with Option 3.
Can I pay prior-year delinquent taxes by phone?
No. The county’s payment instructions state that prior-year delinquencies can be paid by mail, internet or in person, rather than by phone.
When are Monterey County secured property taxes due?
The first installment is due November 1 and normally becomes delinquent after December 10. The second installment is due February 1 and normally becomes delinquent after April 10.
What happens if I miss December 10?
The county states that a late first installment receives a 10% penalty.
What happens if I miss April 10?
The county states that a late second installment receives a 10% penalty plus a $20 cost.
Where do I mail Monterey County property-tax payments?
Property-tax payments should be mailed to Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office, P.O. Box 6005, Whittier, CA 90607. This is different from the general correspondence address in Salinas.
What is a supplemental property-tax bill?
A supplemental bill is an additional property-tax assessment that can result from events such as a change of ownership or completed new construction. Its delinquency date depends on when the bill was mailed.
Who should I contact about assessed value or exemptions?
Start with the Monterey County Assessor. The Assessor handles property assessment information and exemptions, while the Treasurer-Tax Collector handles collection and payment.
Does an assessment appeal stop property-tax payments?
No. Monterey County’s secured-property-tax FAQ states that an assessment appeal does not defer or relieve the property owner’s obligation to pay assessed taxes on time.
Is TaxCollectors.org the official Monterey County Tax Collector?
No. TaxCollectors.org is an independent informational directory. It does not collect taxes, process payments or represent Monterey County. Use the official county website for government transactions.

Before You Pay: A Safe Monterey County Tax Workflow

Start with the official Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector, identify the correct tax bill, and use the identifier that matches the payment method. For online searches, the county recommends the FEE number because it can expose multiple bills tied to the property.

  • Confirm the property is in Monterey County, California.
  • Use the FEE number for a broad online search.
  • Check for supplemental and defaulted bills before paying.
  • Verify the fiscal year and installment.
  • Review the vendor fee before submitting an online transaction.
  • Save your receipt or confirmation number.
  • Use the Whittier P.O. Box for mailed property-tax payments.
  • Contact the Assessor for value, ownership and exemption questions.

Independent-guide notice: TaxCollectors.org is not Monterey County, the Treasurer-Tax Collector, the County Assessor, the payment vendor or the Assessment Appeals Board. Never send bank, card or sensitive tax information to this website. Complete payments through the official county payment system.

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