In San Diego County, the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office has initiated the mailing of defaulted tax invoices to thousands of property owners who have neglected to pay their property taxes from the previous year.
The office of County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister is seeking a total of $189.6 million in unpaid taxes, a reminder of the financial obligations that persist over many residents. This move affects 27,295 taxpayers.
These parcels remain outstanding, despite efforts to notify homeowners about the compounding late fees, which include the potential for penalties to increase indefinitely. McAllister, the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector, stated, “We make a concerted effort to notify homeowners of the late fees that arise as a consequence of nonpayment, and we caution them that they will be subject to additional penalties.”
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However, these property taxes have been moved into default, despite the reminder notices that were sent in May and the explicit communication regarding the additional penalties.
The 2023-24 annual tax statement for San Diego County was due on June 30, and the consequences of failing to meet this deadline are severe. Besides the 10% penalty for each late installment and a $33 redemption fee, each late bill began to incur a 1.5% monthly penalty, or 18% per annum, on July 1. The cumulative effect of these penalties burdens those who have fallen behind.
However, the motivation to pay these fees surpasses the financial burden. According to California state law, the tax collector may sell a portion of a property that has been in default for five years or more.
McAllister has urged taxpayers to avoid future penalties and to pay promptly and conveniently through the free e-check payment system available on the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s website, given the looming possibility. The website claims to provide security, environmental benefits, and user-friendliness to individuals who pay their property taxes online to simplify the process.
