Property Tax Assistance Programs

California Mortgage Relief Program

The California Mortgage Relief Program is providing financial assistance to get caught up on past-due mortgages or property taxes to help homeowners with a mortgage, a reverse mortgage, or who are mortgage-free. Using $1 billion in federal funds, the grants help homeowners who had a financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistance provided through this program is not a loan and does not need to be paid back. 

Homeowners can check their eligibility and apply through an online portal at CaMortgageRelief.org. Application assistance is available through our Contact Center at 1-888-840-2594. Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021’s Homeowner Assistance Fund, the California Mortgage Relief Program is run by the CalHFA Homeowner Relief Corporation in collaboration with the state's Housing is Key initiative. mortgage relief Opens in new windowProperty Tax Post 3 Facebook (English)

Easy Smart Pay

Pay your property taxes monthly or biannually with Easy Smart Pay. You can put your property taxes on "auto-pilot" by using thier simple monthly auto-pay feature. You can also keep track of your payments year to year. Even when you move from home to home, your Easy Smart Pay account stays with you.

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Active Duty Military Personnel - Deferred Taxes

Following the military actions in the Middle East on March 19, 2003, and government actions, all active-duty military personnel, including activated reservists, are eligible for property tax deferral pursuant to the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act. The Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act applies to all military personnel regardless of the duration of military service, financial status, or where they are stationed. Qualifying individuals may elect to defer the payment of their property taxes while called to service to defend the needs of our nation.

While the Act provides for 6% interest per annum on deferred taxes, state law allows the local Tax Collector to waive the interest. As such, it is the position of this office to waive interest. No penalty, cost, or interest will be levied and tax sale provisions are suspended on all deferred property taxes.

Military personnel, their spouse, or any person authorized to act on the service person’s behalf are urged to call on the Tax Collector’s office at 530-265-1285 with any questions. Once the military actions are concluded, or the service person is no longer on active military status, the deferred amount will need to be paid. At such time, our office will provide an installment payment plan as needed.

Property Tax Postponement Program

The State Controller’s Property Tax Postponement Program returned in 2016 after being suspended by the Legislature in 2009. The program allows homeowners who are seniors, blind, or have a disability to defer current-year property taxes on their principal residence if they meet certain criteria including 40 percent equity in the home and an annual household income of $45,000 or less. The application filing period is October 1 to February 10 of each year. You can find this application and other pertinent information about the program on the State Controller's website or by calling toll-free 800-952-5661.

Installment Plans for Defaulted Taxes 

After June 30th of each year, taxes that remain unpaid become defaulted. In accordance with state law, these balances accrue interest at 1.5% per month until paid in full. For those who cannot redeem taxes in full, there is a 5-year installment payment plan that can be started. Please contact our office for more information or to further understand what happens when taxes default. You can also read our annual press release above.