The clock is officially ticking for Los Angeles County property owners who have not paid their 2025–26 annual secured property taxes. The county has started mailing out delinquency notices, warning that payments must be received or USPS-postmarked by June 30 to avoid the bills going into default on July 1, 2026. Once a tax bill defaults, the county tacks on a $15 redemption fee and begins charging a 1.5% penalty each month until the balance is paid in full.
County officials are urging residents to pay by mail or online as the notices land in mailboxes, as reported by MyNewsLA. Each notice includes instructions on how to pay, a rundown of payment options, and details on office locations and service hours. Officials are already warning that phone lines may be slammed as property owners react to the mailers.
What the notice warns
The Notice of Delinquency reminds taxpayers that any unpaid secured property taxes will default on July 1 and then start racking up extra charges. According to the Los Angeles County property tax portal, a $15 redemption fee is added at the time of default and a 1.5% redemption penalty begins accruing each month on the unpaid base tax. The portal also walks taxpayers through how to read the notice and explains why the Assessor’s Identification Number on the bill is so important when making payments or asking questions.
Tax-sale timeline and risks
The treasurer’s office cautions that letting a tax bill sit in default is not just a matter of eating late fees. Prolonged nonpayment can ultimately lead to a forced sale of the property. Commercial properties and unimproved vacant residential lots can be sold at public auction after more than three years in default, while residential and agricultural parcels face the auction block after more than five years of nonpayment, according to a county memo to supervisors.
The memo notes that the county sends notices both to the address on record and to the property address itself in an effort to help owners avoid losing their real estate. It also highlights tools such as the third‑party notification program, which lets owners designate someone else to receive copies of past‑due notices, helpful for those who need an extra set of eyes on their mail.
How to pay and get help
To sidestep any last‑minute postmark drama, the county is strongly encouraging online payments. ECheck payments are accepted at no cost, and online payments are taken up to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the delinquency date, according to the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector.
Property owners who need help can submit questions through the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector website or call the toll‑free Property Tax Information Line at 1‑888‑807‑2111. “Property owners may find it difficult to reach an agent on the telephone,” Treasurer and Tax Collector Elizabeth Buenrostro Ginsberg cautioned, so the office is steering people toward self‑service tools online whenever possible.
Legal note
The Notice of Delinquency is issued under California Revenue and Taxation procedures, and the county’s official guidance is posted on the Los Angeles County property tax portal. If you think your bill is incorrect, the county recommends using its self‑service tools or contacting the treasurer’s office before the delinquency date to keep options open, including installment plans or penalty cancellation requests. Property owners affected by recent wildfires may qualify for limited relief under state executive orders. County resources outline eligibility rules and the specific deadlines that apply.
