IMPORTANT CALIFORNIA PROPERTY TAX DATES

The following schedule lists some of the more significant dates for California property taxes affecting property owners. This calendar was compiled from the State of California ' Letters to Assessors 2004 Property Tax Calendar' which is published by the State Board of Equalization. The BOE's Property Taxes Law Guide has a complete 23-page calendar beginning on page 1001. The BOE also maintains a very comprehensive Index to property tax regulatory information. 

* Please note this is a partial list and is intended to be used as a general guide. *

January 1

Lien Date
date for valuation, date taxes attach to property as a lien

(was March 1 through 1996 for locally-assessed property)

January 1

Exempt entities;
first day to file affidavit and claim for exemption

(delinquent 5 p.m. on February 15)

January 1

Churches and Churches with schools;
first day to file affidavit and claim for Church or Religious exemption

(delinquent 5 p.m. on February 15)  

January 1

Document vessel owners;
first day to file affidavit for classification

(delinquent 5 p.m. on February 1)

February 1

Second installment secured property taxes due

(delinquent after April 10)

February 15

Exempt entities, homeowners, other applicants for exemption;

affidavits and claim forms due

February 15

Churches and churches with schools;

affidavits and claim forms due

March 1

Business property statements due

(delinquent after May 7 or Assessor's date)

May 7

Business property statements due if requested or required

MUST FILE if own more than $100,00 of property )

August 1

Last day for tax collectors to issue unsecured tax bills

November 1

First installment of secured taxes due

(delinquent after December 10)

February 15

Owners of documented vessels, historical aircraft;  

affidavits and claim forms due  

April 1

Earliest date assessors can set the due date for filing property statements. To assess penalties for late filing, assessors must send a registered mail 15-day notice or a regular mail 20-day notice.

If no letter is mailed, the penalty deadline is May 7.

May 31

Last day to amend property statements 

August 31

Last day to pay unsecured tax bills 

November 15

Last day to file assessment appeals on January 2 through June 30 transfers with no assessment notice to new purchaser 

December 10

First installment of secured taxes

delinquent after December 10, 5:00 p.m. 

March 1

Taxes on unsecured roll due

(delinquent date stated on tax bill)

January 1

Property owners;
The second installment of secured property taxes become 

delinquent after April 10, 5:00 p.m. 

July 2 - September 15

Assessment Appeals filing period for regular-period assessments. Most other assessments must be appealed 60 days after notice. 

September 15

Last day to file assessment appeals in some counties 

November 15

Last day to file assessment appeals in some counties