Tax Deadline Looms for Property Owners

Property owners in Los Angeles County must mail their second-installment property tax bills by Saturday or hand-deliver payment to downtown Los Angeles offices by Monday.

The second installment was actually due Feb. 1 but it does not become delinquent until after April 10. Since April 10 falls on a Saturday this year, property owners have until Monday to pay. However, those who wait until Monday must hand-deliver payment by 5 p.m. to the Los Angeles County Tax Collector’s Office in the Hall of Administration, 225 N. Hill St., Los Angeles.

“We really recommend people mail it,” said David J. Collins, assistant treasurer and tax collector for Los Angeles County. “There will be lines on Monday, and parking downtown is a nightmare.”

Those who don’t pay their taxes on time will receive a 10% penalty on the unpaid portion, plus a $10 fee. After June 30, penalties on unpaid property taxes increase to 1.5% per month, plus a $15 fee. After five years of any outstanding payment, the county tax collector can sell the property.

Property taxes must be paid whether or not the owner received a bill. While the following county assessor regional offices do not accept payments, they can provide substitute tax bills, correct misspelled names or make changes to mailing addresses:

* 6640 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys; (818) 901-3404.

* 9121 Oakdale Ave., Suite 200, Chatsworth; (818) 701-4311.

* 988 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena; (626) 441-7100.

* 23822 Valencia Blvd., Suite 106, Valencia; (661) 254-9550.

* 251 E. Ave. K-6, Lancaster; (661) 940-6700.