San Diego property owners who still have not paid their 2025–26 property taxes have one week left to dodge a costly hit. County Treasurer‑Tax Collector Larry Cohen is warning that bills must be paid by next Tuesday, June 30 to avoid additional penalties. On July 1, any unpaid taxes will be pushed into default status and start racking up extra charges that county officials say can reach roughly 18% per year if the bill just sits there.
Backlog: 62,623 Notices And $270 Million Overdue
The Treasurer‑Tax Collector's office reports it sent out 62,623 notices this week for delinquent accounts tied to more than $270 million on the 2025–26 secured roll. The county also expects its annual property tax levy to exceed $9 billion this fiscal year, powering schools, public safety and other local services.
According to the San Diego County Treasurer‑Tax Collector's Office, overall collection rates remain strong, but this lingering slice of unpaid bills still represents hundreds of millions of dollars in limbo.
How Late Fees Accelerate
“On July 1, unpaid bills will go into default and receive an additional $33 redemption fee plus penalties of 1.5% each month,” Cohen said, a breakdown that shows how quickly the tab can grow once the deadline passes.
That 1.5% monthly penalty lands on top of an existing 10% delinquency penalty for each late installment, plus a $10 fee for a late second installment. Stack those together and you are paying a premium for procrastination, a structure detailed by KGTV.
Where And How To Pay
County officials say the quickest way to stop the clock is to pay online at sdttc.com using the free e‑check option. For those who prefer other methods, branch offices, phone payments and mailed checks are still in play.
The Treasurer‑Tax Collector's website walks property owners through payment steps, lists branch locations and posts phone numbers for customer assistance so people are not left guessing about where to start.
Tax-Sale Risk After Five Years
California law adds a much harsher consequence for long-term nonpayment. If a property stays in tax default for five years, the county may sell it at a public tax sale, which can wipe out the owner's right to redeem the property.
The county's auction portal explains how to register, how bidding works and which properties are headed to the block. Details on upcoming auctions and bidder rules are available through the MyTaxSale portal at SDTTC MyTaxSale.
Why This Matters To Local Budgets
Property taxes are a core funding source for schools, public safety and a long list of local services, and county officials expect this year's levy to generate more than $9 billion for those needs. Collection rates sit above 97%, but even a relatively small pool of unpaid accounts can strain individual owners and inject uncertainty into revenue forecasts, as KGTV noted.
If you have an unpaid bill, the county urges you to look up your parcel online, sign up for e‑notifications and get a payment in by Tuesday, June 30 to avoid the extra fees. The Treasurer‑Tax Collector's office also lists phone and mailing options and can discuss payment plans with qualifying taxpayers who need help catching up.
