As a homeowner heading into 2026, it can be beneficial to your budget (and peace of mind) to keep aware of when your California property tax is due. Across most California counties (Los Angeles included), officials split these annual tax payments into two installments. Dividing the payments makes it easier for some residents to afford the inevitable tax. But it also means you have two major deadlines to meet – and missing just one can land you in hot water.
Lien-ing Into a New Year
The first important date to note is January 1. New Year’s Day is when the state “locks in” the taxable value of all real property. This is informally referred to as the “lien date.” However, California also considers the fiscal year to start on July 1 and run through to June 30 of the following year. The annual tax bill corresponds with California’s fiscal year.
If you’re new to homeownership, you may have recently received your first California property tax bill in the mail. These are distributed by your county of residence, with most counties aiming to send the annual secured bills out by November 1. However, if you recently bought your home, you may not receive a physical bill.
We hate to be the bearer of unwelcome news, but this doesn’t excuse you from paying your California property tax. If you didn’t receive a physical bill sometime in November, you may want to contact your county treasurer’s office or use their convenient online portal (if they have one) to determine what you owe. Here’s the portal for Los Angeles for anyone who needs it!
Recognizing Deadlines So You Can Meet Them
Though it’s often easier for California residents to pay their property taxes in two installments, you can also opt to pay the full annual amount as a single lump sum. If you’re not hurting for cash but can be a bit forgetful, the lump sum payment option may be to your benefit. Just be aware that this means paying the full amount by the earlier deadline (not holding it until the later).
The table below breaks down the deadlines for the split payment system. It’s particularly important to stay abreast of the listed delinquent deadlines. Missing one payment saddles you with a significant 10% penalty. And, depending on your county, there could be additional repercussions.
| Installment | Date Tax Becomes Payable | Date Payment Considered Delinquent |
| First | November 1, 2025 | December 10, 2025 (5 pm) |
| Second | February 1, 2026 | April 10, 2026 (5 pm) |
Occasionally, the delinquent payment dates fall on the weekend or a holiday. Depending on your county, you may be able to pay on the following business day without repercussions. At the time of writing, Los Angeles is one of these lenient counties that pushes the delinquency date up a day in such instances. However, since December 10 of this year and April 10 of next year fall on weekdays, this exception isn’t applicable to this particular date range.
Other Dates Relating to California Property Tax
While the above covers the primary applicable California property tax dates worthy of note, there are a few deeper cuts you may want to be aware of, depending on your situation. If you plan on claiming exemptions in your California property tax filing (such as a homeowner exemption, veterans’ exemption, etc), then you’ll want to start looking for the application window early in the new year. In Los Angeles County, it appears that these claims need to be filed by February 15 for the 2026 year.
What if you purchased your home in the middle of 2025? Or perhaps you completed a major renovation, property transfer, or the like that triggered property reassessment? In these situations, you might receive a supplemental tax bill with its own distinct due date. If any of the above scenarios sound like you, keep aware of this possibility so the supplemental tax bill doesn’t catch you by surprise. It does not replace your California property tax bill, but rather is its own separate obligation. It’s also crucial to understand how renovation impacts your owed taxes, particularly when you undergo these projects around the January 1 lien date.
You may also owe unsecured property taxes on boats, aircraft, and business personal property, but these don’t follow the same deadlines as the standard California property tax. Therefore, if you owe any of the above, be sure to acquaint yourself with state deadlines for unsecured property taxes.
Stay On Top of California Property Tax – Before It Gets On Top of You
No matter where you live in the Golden State, you can count on the choice between a split payment or a single lump payment to satisfy your California property tax responsibilities. The primary deadlines remain the same every year as well. By planning ahead, you can keep up with these deadlines, not just giving clarity to your budget but also avoiding costly consequences.
With a brand that says as much as JohnHart’s, Senior Copywriter Seth Styles never finds himself at a loss for words. Responsible for maintaining the voice of the company, he spends each day drafting marketing materials, blogs, bios, and agent resources that speak from the company’s collective mind and Hart… errr, heart.
Having spent over a decade in creative roles across a variety of industries, Seth brings with him vast experience in SEO practices, digital marketing, and all manner of professional writing with particular strength in blogging, content creation, and brand building. Gratitude, passion, and sincerity remain core tenets of his unwavering work ethic. The landscape of the industry changes daily, paralleling JohnHart’s efforts to {re}define real estate, but Seth works to maintain the company’s consistent message while offering both agents and clients a new echelon of service.
When not preserving the JohnHart essence in stirring copy, Seth puts his efforts into writing and illustrating an ongoing series entitled The Death of Romance. In addition, he adores spending quality time with his girlfriend and Romeo (his long-haired chihuahua mix), watching ‘70s and ‘80s horror movies, and reading (with a particular penchant for Victorian horror novels and authors Yukio Mishima and Bret Easton Ellis). He also occasionally records music as the vocalist and songwriter for his glam rock band, Peppermint Pumpkin.
