Property Taxes and COVID-19

Message from Roy Given, Marin County Tax Collector

The COVID-19 public health emergency has had a significant impact on our residents and businesses. As your County Tax Collector, I know there are members of our community who are struggling to make ends meet and who have concerns about what the economic future will hold. Many residents and local businesses also have concerns about the impact of COVID-19 and the deadline to pay their property taxes without penalty. All these concerns are understandable, and I want to assure everyone that they are being addressed in a thoughtful and deliberate manner.

Frequently Asked Questions

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• Can I request a penalty waiver, if I could not make a timely property tax payment due to COVID-19?

  Yes. Executive Order N-61-20 was issued on May 6, 2020 establishing new parameters for addressing property tax penalties incurred as a result of the pandemic.

  Requests for Penalty Cancellation under this new program will be accepted in Marin County after June 11, 2020 for property taxes that became delinquent due to COVID-19 after March 3, 2020 and before May 6, 2021.

• What documentation is needed for the "COVID-19 Request for Penalty Cancellation"?
  • The general framework for cancellation of penalties due to COVID-19 is outlined in the Governor’s Executive Order N-61-20 and specific guidelines have been issued by State Controller’s Office.
  • Eligibility is specific to homeowners and small businesses directly impacted by the pandemic and requires that the tax payment and supporting documentation accompany each Request for Penalty Cancellation.
  • Requests for Penalty Cancellation will be accepted in Marin County after June 11, 2020. One request is required for each property.
• Will my 2019/20 property tax bill be reduced because of the economic impacts of COVID-19?

  Property tax amounts are established on the lien date of January 1 of each year. The property tax amounts currently due for the 2019-2020 Annual Secured Property Taxes have a lien date of January 1, 2019, and therefore, no reduction will be made to the current bill. Should you have questions related to decline-in-value or business personal property valuations, please contact the Office of the Assessor at (415) 473-7215 or visit their website.

• What are my payment options?

  The Marin County Tax Collector’s office is currently open but is not accepting cash payments. We also discourage in-person visits for public health reasons. Taxpayers can pay online, via telephone or by mail. There is no cost for e-Check payments. For credit/debit card transactions, our card payment processor charges a 2.35 percent service fee. Please visit marincounty.org/taxbillonline to review all payment methods.

• I already mailed my property tax payment; however, your system is not showing my taxes as paid. What should I do?

  Mailed payments are generally processed within 2 business days of receipt, unless the payment requires special handling. The tax collector’s website is updated daily. Delivery and processing times for mailed payments may be delayed during the Shelter at Home order. If more than two weeks have passed since you mailed your payment, please contact the tax collector’s office at (415) 473-6133 or by sending email.

• What is the deadline for the State Controller’s Property Tax Postponement Program (SCPTP)?

  The 2019/20 deadline for the State Controller’s Property Tax Postponement Program (SCPTP) has been extended to June 1, 2020. Low income senior’s, or blind or disabled individuals, may qualify for this deferral program. Please call (800) 952-5661 or visit this website for more information.

• How do I get more information about my Property Taxes?

  You can use the Tax Collector’s website to look up taxes due, view your bill, and view a three-year payment history. You may also call us at (415) 473-6133 for additional information.

For public health reasons, we discourage personal visits to the Civic Center.

Pay online or by phone —

• Pay online: marincounty.org/taxbillonline
• Pay by phone: (800) 985-7277
• Pay by mail:
  Marin County Tax Collector
  P.O. Box 4220
  San Rafael CA 94913