SAN DIEGO, CA – San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Cohen, MBA, announced that his office has begun mailing approximately 32,573 defaulted property tax bills to property owners, including those with 2025-26 annual and supplemental property taxes remained unpaid as of June 30, 2026.

Under state law, when property taxes are not paid by the close of the tax roll on June 30, the unpaid taxes go into default and additional penalties and fees are added. Defaulted taxes continue to accrue a 1.5% penalty each month, or 18% per year, until paid in full, in addition to a $33 redemption fee.

“A tax bill that goes into default doesn’t just sit there—it gets more expensive every month,” said Cohen. “If you have already submitted your payment, thank you. If you still have an outstanding balance, I encourage you to take care of it as soon as possible. Paying online at sdttc.com is fast, secure and free.”

Property owners with defaulted taxes may be eligible to establish a Five-Year Payment Plan to pay their delinquent taxes over time. More information about payment plans is available at sdttc.com.

Property owners should also be aware that supplemental property tax bills are separate from and in addition to the annual property tax bill. Supplemental bills are not sent to mortgage lenders for payment.

Penalties may be canceled only under specific circumstances authorized by the California Revenue and Taxation Code. Forgetting to pay, not receiving or losing a tax bill, believing a lender was responsible for payment, or having an online bill payment arrive late generally does not qualify for penalty cancellation.

Property owners can look up their tax account and make payments online at sdttc.com. The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office reminds taxpayers that online payments are not complete until the transaction is submitted and a receipt confirming a successful payment is received.

The 2026-27 Secured Property Tax Bills are expected to be available online in mid-to-late September. The first installment will be due November 1, 2026, and will become delinquent after December 10, 2026.

Customers with questions about their property taxes can call the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office at 1-877-829-4732.