Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Source: Los Angeles County Tax Collector
- Can you extend the April 10, 2020 deadline?
Answer: No. The County does not have the authority under State law to extend or postpone the second installment property tax deadline of April 10, 2020.
- County buildings are no longer open to the public, what are my payment options?
Answer: Although we are not accepting in-person payments currently at our offices, taxpayers can pay online, via telephone or by mail. There is no cost for e-Check payments online. For online credit/debit card transactions, our card payment processor charges a 2.25 percent service fee. Please visit https://ttc.lacounty.gov/ to review all payment methods, and several other online self-service options.
- What if I am unable to make a full property tax payment by April 10, 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19?
Answer: We encourage all property owners who can pay their taxes on time to do so. This revenue helps keep the government running and providing vital services that the public relies on, especially in times like these. However, if you are unable to do so, we accept partial payments which reduces the amount of penalties imposed.
- Can I request a penalty cancellation if I am unable to make a timely payment due to COVID-19?
Answer: Yes. However, a penalty cancellation is not something that taxpayers request in advance. Beginning on April 11, the day after property taxes become delinquent, taxpayers unable to pay on time for reasons related to COVID-19 may submit a request for penalty cancellation on our website. The department has set up a special team to process these requests for those who demonstrate they were affected by the outbreak.
- How can I obtain my Personal Identification Number (PIN) to pay online if I don’t have the bill?
Answer: The PIN is located on any secured property tax bill and does not change annually. If you do not have this year’s property tax bill, please refer to a previous year’s bill. Please also note that a PIN is only required for online e-Check payments.
- Can the County waive the associated service fees of 2.25 percent for Credit/Debit card payments online and over the telephone?
Answer: No. The County cannot waive the associated service fees of 2.25 percent for credit/debit card transactions. The fees are charged by our card payment processor to facilitate the transaction. As a reminder, there is no cost for e-Check payments online.
- Will property tax amounts be reduced due to economic impact of COVID-19?
Answer: No. Property tax amounts are established on the lien date of January 1 of each year. The property tax amounts currently due for the 2019-2020 Annual Secured Property Taxes have a lien date of January 1, 2019, and therefore, no reduction will be made to the current bill.
- I mailed in my property tax payment; however your system is not showing my taxes as paid. What should I do?
Answer: Processing times for mailed payments may be delayed due to the current public health concerns. We will process all mailed payments as soon as possible. Should your payment not be processed by April 10, 2020, you can request penalty cancellation as outlined above.
- If using the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) or courier services (FedEx, UPS, etc.) to deliver my property tax payment, and County Buildings are closed, how will my payment be received?
Answer: As of this date, we are receiving mail from the USPS and courier services. If circumstances change, we have the ability to cancel penalties for payments that would have been mailed timely. For more information regarding mailed payments, please click here: https://ttc.lacountv.gov/avoid-penalties-bv-understanding-postmarks/
- I am expecting a property tax refund. Will this refund be delayed by COVID-19?
Answer: State Law requires that the Tax Collector to issue refunds within 60 days of the date of initial payment. However, due to the current state of emergency, we may experience unusual delays meeting this timeframe.
