Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ's
PUBLIC OFFICIALS
TAX BILLS
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What are the options for paying my tax bill? And where can I mail it?
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Can I make payment arrangements other than the due dates printed on my tax bill?
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I sold my unsecured property and still received a tax bill. What should I do?
PROGRAMS TO LOWER YOUR TAX BILL
The Treasurer-Tax Collector is the elected official who is responsible for the administration of the County Treasury Investment Pool and for the billing and collecting of all property taxes in the County.
The Assessor is the elected official who is responsible for the assessment of all taxable property within the County. The assessment of property (or valuation of property) is one of the components that determine the amount of taxes that are owed. The Assessor may be contacted at (760) 878-0302.
The Auditor-Controller is the elected official who is responsible for determining the tax rate that is applied to the net taxable values to determine the amount of taxes that are owed. The Auditor may be contacted at (760) 878-0343.
State law requires that all tangible property (real and business property along with certain personal property), not otherwise exempt, be taxed in the State of California.
There are several property categories that are assessed and receive tax bills. Land, improvements to land, possessory interests, aircraft, boats and business equipment are some of the common property types.
November 1: Secured 1st installment due.
December 10: Secured 1st installment deadline.
February 1: Secured 2nd installment due.
April 10: Secured 2nd installment deadline.
Call the County Tax Collector at (760) 878-0312 and request a bill by mail.
Email your request for a bill by mail. Use the Contact Us option on the main page.
Failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve the imposition of penalties and interest as required by State Law if the payment is made late.
Contact the Assessor at (760) 878-0302.
Download a copy of the Change of Address Form. Complete and mail to the Assessor for processing.
If you have recently purchased this property please be aware that the annual tax bills are mailed to the owner of record as of January 1st of each year.
Contact the Assessor (760) 878-0302.
You can pay in person.
You can mail in your payment to the Inyo County Tax Collector, P.O. Drawer O, Independence, CA 93526. Please enclose your payment stub or write your Assessors Parcel Number on your check.
Pay by credit card or e-check on this website by selecting online payments. There is a fee for this service.
Taxes that are paid late are subject to a 10% penalty of the tax amount owed. If a 2nd installment becomes delinquent a cost charge is added to the amount due. Once a tax bill becomes defaulted it is subject to additional penalties of 18% per annum and redemption fees. (Generally, defaulted taxes are those that were not paid in the fiscal year in which they were billed.)
No.
Arrangements to pay defaulted taxes are available under certain conditions. To learn more about this possible payment option please contact our office.
A secured property tax bill is generally a tax bill for real property. Examples are: land and improvements; a mobile home; vacant land; commercial property, or patented mining claims. The term "secured" is used because the lien of taxes is secured by the property assessed. If the taxes on a property are not paid the property may be sold at public auction for satisfaction of the delinquent taxes.
An unsecured property tax bill is issued on the assessment of property such as aircraft, watercrafts, business personal property and unpatented mining claims. What makes an unsecured tax bill different from a secured tax bill is that the tax lien is against the owner of the property. If the taxes are not paid a lien can be filed against the owner of the property.
Pay the tax bill. Taxes on unsecured property represent a lien against the owner as of January 1st of each year. If the assessee owned property on January 1st of any given year, and received an unsecured tax bill the following July of that same year, the assessee is responsible for the payment of those taxes.
If the assessee received an unsecured tax bill for property not owned on January 1st, the assessee should contact the Assessor at (760) 878-0302.
A supplemental tax bill is a one-time tax bill determined by an event. The only two events that will generate a supplemental tax bill are a change in ownership of the property or completion of construction on the property. Questions on the event? Contact the Assessor (760) 878-0302.
Other governmental agencies (e.g. community service districts, abatement districts, etc.) have the option of having their charges and assessments enrolled on the county's property tax roll. Whenever an agency exercises this option their charges appear on the tax bills issued on property located within the agency’s geographical boundaries.
Contact these agencies directly with any questions regarding those charges.
Property that is a principal place of residence as of the lien date (January 1st) may qualify for a homeowner exemption. Contact the Assessor for more information at (760) 878-0302.
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED AT THIS TIME DUE TO STATE BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS.
Information regarding the Property Tax Assistance Program may be obtained at the Franchise Tax Board Website: www.ftb.ca.gov.
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED AT THIS TIME DUE TO STATE BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS.
Information regarding the Property Tax Postponement Program may be obtained at the California State Controller's Office's Website at www.sco.ca.gov.
Yes. There are various types of property tax available to property owners. (e.g. veterans, disabled persons, churches museums, etc.) Contact the Assessor for more information at (760) 878-0302.
Contact the Assessor and discuss the assessed value of your property. (760) 878-0302.
