Making Sense of Property Tax Bills After You Purchase a Home

Property tax bills can be very confusing after you purchase a home. Not only do you receive the regular tax bills, but you also receive “supplemental” tax bills. In addition, for some odd reason property taxes aren't due in uniform increments**. So how does this all work?

(original article updated to reflect most recent tax year)
2019-2020 Tax Bills are sent out in late September of 2019 for both installments (the 1st installment is due November 1, 2019…late December 10, 2019. The 2nd installment is due February 1, 2020 and late April 10, 2020). 

The tax bills will show amounts due for the previous owner (based on his/her value basis). Then you will be sent a supplemental bill(s) with the difference for your new value basis (based on your purchase price)…this will be applied by the county according to the date you took possession.

The 2020-2021 Tax Bills will be sent out in late September of 2020 with the correct amounts…no more supplemental bills at that point to update the value basis. The 1st installment for this bill is due November 1, 2020 (late December 10, 2020). The 2nd installment is due February 1, 2021 (late April 10, 2021).

We hope this helps clear up how the county taxes work.

Let us know if you have any questions we can help answer.

**This article is based on the property tax structure for Southern California. Details may vary based on your county’s particular policy.