Pay Your San Diego Property Tax Bill Using the Right County Office
Start here if you need to pay a bill, search your parcel, call the Tax Collector, find a branch office, get a receipt, or avoid late penalties.
The San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector is the official office for San Diego County property tax bills, payment status, prior-year taxes, defaulted bills, supplemental bills and tax collection questions. Pay online from sdttc.com, call 1-877-829-4732 for tax collection questions, or pay by phone at 1-855-829-3773. The main office is at 1600 Pacific Hwy, Room 162, San Diego, CA 92101. The first secured property tax installment is due November 1 and delinquent after December 10; the second is due February 1 and delinquent after April 10.
How to Pay a San Diego County Property Tax Bill Online
The official San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector site uses a simple “Search, Select & Pay” flow. Search your bill, select the installment you want to pay, then submit payment only after the receipt says the transaction was successful.
When Is Your
Next Tax Deadline?
Select your state — see your exact deadline, live countdown, and whether you’re on time or already accruing penalties.
The biggest mistake is rushing straight to payment without checking the bill type. San Diego County may show secured, unsecured, defaulted, supplemental and escape tax bills. A homeowner usually needs secured property tax. A business, boat or aircraft owner may need an unsecured bill. A recent buyer may see a supplemental bill. A property with prior unpaid taxes may show defaulted or prior-year tax status.
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 Treasurer-Tax Collector website
Start at sdttc.com and use the official Pay Bill path. Do not use random payment ads, third-party directories or your bank’s bill-pay tool unless you understand the difference.
Search by the right detail
For current secured, defaulted, supplemental or escape bills, the official site says to search by parcel number or current mailing address. For unsecured tax bills, search by the 4-digit year and 6-digit bill number.
Select the installment carefully
View your bill and add the installment you want to pay to the cart. If you plan to pay both secured installments at once, verify that both installments are selected before checkout.
Use e-check when it fits your situation
San Diego County promotes e-check as free, fast and easy. Enter routing and account numbers carefully because returned e-checks can trigger extra fees and late penalties if the payment fails after the delinquent date.
Wait for a successful receipt
The official site warns that a transaction is not final until you click Submit and receive a receipt that says Successful. Save that proof immediately.
San Diego TTC Pay Bill
Use the official homepage and Pay Bill button to search, select and pay secured, unsecured, defaulted, supplemental and escape tax bills.
Open Official Pay Bill PageTax Collection Information
Use this page to understand due dates, penalties, new homebuyer warnings, tax default, prior-year taxes and e-check payment guidance.
Open Tax Collection PageSan Diego Treasurer-Tax Collector Office Locations, Hours and Phone Numbers
The main San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector office is downtown at 1600 Pacific Hwy, Room 162. The official locations page also lists Chula Vista, East County/Santee and San Marcos branch offices, plus Kearny Mesa as closed for in-person services with drop-box-only information.
Main Office – County Administration Center
Cash accepted at this location
Branch Office Snapshot
Verify before visiting
Micro-level office warning
The branches are not all the same. The official locations page marks the main office as cash accepted, while Chula Vista, East County and San Marcos are marked checks only. Kearny Mesa is marked closed for in-person services and drop box only. Always verify the official locations page before leaving home.
San Diego County Property Tax Due Dates: November 1, December 10, February 1 and April 10
For secured property taxes, the first installment is due November 1 and delinquent after December 10. The second installment is due February 1 and delinquent after April 10.
First installment
Due November 1. It becomes delinquent after close of business on December 10. A 10% penalty is added after the deadline.
Second installment
Due February 1. It becomes delinquent after April 10. A 10% penalty plus a $10 cost is added after the deadline.
After June 30
Delinquent secured accounts transfer to the defaulted tax roll, with additional 1.5% monthly penalties and a redemption fee listed by the county.
Simple secured tax calendar
- September: secured property tax bills mailed late in the month
- November 1: first installment due
- December 10: first installment delinquent after close of business
- February 1: second installment due
- April 10: second installment delinquent after close of business
- June 30: fiscal year ends
- July 1: defaulted tax roll process begins for unpaid secured accounts
Why this matters
- December 10 and April 10 are property tax deadlines, not IRS deadlines.
- If a delinquent date falls on a weekend or holiday, the county says the next business day applies.
- Not receiving a bill does not waive penalties.
- Mail payments depend on the U.S. Postal Service postmark.
San Diego Property Tax E-Check, Receipt and Online Banking Warning
The Treasurer-Tax Collector promotes e-check on its online payment system as free, fast and secure. It is different from using your bank’s online bill-pay system.
For a San Diego County property tax bill, the safest online workflow is to pay through sdttc.com and receive the official successful receipt. Your bank’s online bill-pay system may mail a physical check or process payment differently. If timing is close to December 10 or April 10, that difference can matter.
Free e-check
The county says e-check through its online payment system is free and uses your bank routing and account number.
Immediate receipt
The online payment flow provides an immediate receipt after successful payment. Save it for escrow, closing, refinancing or proof of timely payment.
Returned check risk
The county’s e-check FAQ notes an added fee if an e-check or paper check is not accepted. If the payment fails after the deadline, extra penalties may also be due.
San Diego Property Tax Payment by Mail, Phone or Drop Box
Online e-check is usually the easiest path, but the Treasurer-Tax Collector also lists mail, phone and drop-box payment options.
Pay by mail
Make checks payable to San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector and send payments to P.O. Box 129009, San Diego, CA 92112. Mail early and make sure the envelope is postmarked by the deadline.
Pay by phone
Use 1-855-829-3773 for phone payment. The tax-collection question line does not accept payments.
Payment drop boxes
The official locations page lists payment drop boxes at branch locations. Kearny Mesa is listed as drop box only and closed for in-person services.
Postmark warning
For mailed payments, the county reviews the U.S. Postal Service postmark to determine whether payment was mailed before the deadline. A private postage meter, late pickup or mailing delay can create an avoidable penalty problem.
How to Get a San Diego County Property Tax Receipt or Duplicate Bill
A successful receipt matters for escrow, refinancing, sale closing, mortgage proof, accounting records and penalty disputes.
Online payment receipt
After checkout, save the receipt that says Successful. Keep parcel number, bill number, installment, payment amount, date and confirmation details.
Prior-year paid tax information
The contact page says previously paid tax bill information should be looked up through the prior-year tax page.
Duplicate tax bill
The official site says duplicate tax bills may be purchased for $1 at a Tax Collector office. Verify current office rules before visiting.
Receipt should show
- Parcel or bill number
- Tax year
- Installment paid
- Amount paid
- Payment date
- Successful receipt or confirmation number
Keep receipt for
- Mortgage escrow proof
- Home sale or refinance
- Business bookkeeping
- Penalty dispute documentation
- New-owner tax history review
New San Diego Homeowner Checklist: Escrow, Supplemental Bills and Prior Taxes
The Treasurer-Tax Collector warns new buyers not to wait for a tax bill. California law makes the taxpayer responsible for timely payment, and a bill may not arrive when you expect it.
If you purchased property in San Diego County, check your title papers and closing statement. Current-year taxes may be prorated between buyer and seller, but the Treasurer-Tax Collector cannot adjust the taxes based on private escrow agreements. The installment amount shown on the tax bill is still the amount due to the county.
Find the parcel number
Use your deed, closing paperwork, escrow statement, assessor record or prior tax bill to identify the parcel.
Check for prior-year taxes
Before and after closing, search for prior-year or defaulted taxes. A “tax defaulted” notation can mean unpaid taxes from earlier years.
Watch for supplemental tax bills
New ownership or new construction may lead to supplemental taxes. A supplemental bill is separate from the regular secured annual bill.
Update your mailing address
Keep the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk informed of address changes so future tax bills go to the right address.
San Diego County Late Property Tax, Defaulted Taxes and Redemption Plan Basics
San Diego County adds penalties after delinquent dates. If taxes remain unpaid after June 30, secured accounts move to the defaulted tax roll and additional charges can apply.
First installment late
A 10% penalty is added after close of business on December 10, unless the deadline shifts because of a weekend or holiday.
Second installment late
A 10% penalty plus a $10 cost is added after close of business on April 10, unless the deadline shifts because of a weekend or holiday.
Defaulted tax roll
After June 30, unpaid secured taxes can move to the defaulted tax roll, with a redemption fee and 1.5% per month penalty on unpaid tax amounts.
Five-year installment plan of redemption
The county explains that taxpayers may save money by paying prior-year back taxes or by initiating a five-year installment plan of redemption when eligible. Do not guess eligibility. Search your bill and contact the Tax Collector for account-specific guidance.
San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector vs City Treasurer vs Assessor
The phrase “San Diego Treasurer Tax Collector” can be confusing because the City of San Diego has a City Treasurer, while San Diego County has the Treasurer-Tax Collector that handles county property tax bills.
Use County Treasurer-Tax Collector for property taxes
Use sdttc.com for San Diego County property tax bill search, secured taxes, unsecured taxes, supplemental bills, defaulted taxes, prior-year taxes, e-check payment, pay-by-phone and branch office tax payment help.
Do not use City Treasurer for county property tax bills
The City Treasurer handles city programs such as business tax and other city revenue matters. It is not the primary office for paying San Diego County property tax bills.
Tax Collector questions
- How much property tax do I owe?
- Did my payment post?
- How do I pay online?
- What happens if I am late?
- How do I look up prior-year taxes?
Assessor/Recorder questions
- Why did my assessed value change?
- How do I change mailing address?
- How do I claim exemptions?
- What is my parcel record?
- How does a transfer affect assessed value?
Mortgage or title questions
Escrow prorations, lender payments and title-company instructions are private transaction issues. The Tax Collector collects the installment shown on the tax bill.
Official San Diego Treasurer-Tax Collector Video: Benefits of Paying by E-Check
The San Diego Treasurer-Tax Collector site links to an official video explaining e-check payment benefits. Use it as a quick visual guide, but always verify deadlines and account status on the official payment page.
Why This San Diego Treasurer-Tax Collector Guide Is Built Like a Payment Tool
A thin directory page gives one phone number. This page helps a San Diego property owner finish the real task: pay, search, call, visit, print proof, or avoid penalties.
First screen solves the job
Payment, office, due dates and late-tax help are visible immediately, without forcing the user to read a long introduction.
Wrong office confusion is reduced
The guide separates County Treasurer-Tax Collector, City Treasurer, Assessor/Recorder and mortgage/title-company issues.
Real tax problems are covered
E-check, receipts, postmarks, prior-year taxes, new-homebuyer risk, supplemental bills, defaulted taxes and redemption plan basics are explained in plain language.
San Diego Treasurer-Tax Collector Main Office Map and Visit Reminder
Use this map for the main County Administration Center office. Check the official locations page before visiting because branch service rules, payment type and in-person availability vary.
Bring if visiting for tax help
- Parcel number or bill number
- Tax year and installment you want to pay
- Payment method accepted at that location
- Successful receipt or prior confirmation if asking about posting
- Escrow/title documents if you recently bought or sold
Check before visiting
- Does the branch accept your payment type?
- Is cash accepted only at the main office?
- Is Kearny Mesa in-person service still unavailable?
- Can the issue be solved by e-check online?
- Are you calling the County, not the City Treasurer?
Official San Diego Treasurer-Tax Collector and Property Tax Links
Use these official links before relying on third-party payment pages. Property tax amounts, deadlines, office rules, payment methods and defaulted-tax details should be verified at the source.
San Diego Treasurer-Tax Collector FAQ
These answers focus on the real user intent: pay property tax, find the office, call the right number, understand due dates, avoid penalties and get receipts.
Best Way to Use This San Diego Treasurer-Tax Collector Guide
If your goal is to pay a San Diego County property tax bill, start at the official Treasurer-Tax Collector website, search your parcel or bill, select the correct installment and save the Successful receipt. E-check through the official system is the cleanest option for many users because the county promotes it as free and immediate.
If your issue is office help, use the official locations page before visiting. The main office, branch offices and Kearny Mesa drop-box status have different payment and in-person rules. If your issue is assessed value or a mailing address, use the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk path. If your issue is a City of San Diego tax or business program, use the City Treasurer path instead of the County Treasurer-Tax Collector.
Editorial note and official-source warning
This is an independent TaxCollectors.org guide for San Diego County taxpayers. It is not the official San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector, Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, City Treasurer, mortgage company, title company, tax adviser or legal adviser.
Before paying, mailing documents, visiting an office, relying on a deadline, using a drop box, requesting a duplicate bill, or handling defaulted taxes, verify current information directly through official San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector sources. Fees, branch rules, hours, postmark treatment, account status and payment instructions can change.