Where to send your LA County property tax payment

LA County property taxes go to the Los Angeles County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, not to your city or your lender. You can pay online through the county's official website, by mail, in person at a county office, or through an authorized third-party processor. The county accepts checks, money orders, credit cards, and electronic bank transfers, though credit card payments usually carry a processing fee.

Online payment is the fastest route. The county's property tax portal lets you pay immediately if you have your parcel number or account number from your tax bill. Payments made online before the due date post the same day. If you pay by mail, the postmark date matters — mail received after the due date counts as late even if you sent it on time, so allow at least a week for delivery.

In-person payment at a county office works if you need to pay cash or prefer a receipt on the spot. The Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk has offices throughout LA County, and you can find the nearest one on the county website. Bring your tax bill or parcel number so staff can process the payment correctly.

Key Takeaways

  • LA County property taxes are paid to the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, and online payment through the county website is the fastest method.
  • Property tax bills are due in two installments — typically November 1 and February 1 — and penalties apply to payments received after the due date.
  • If you pay by mail, the postmark date is what counts, so send payment at least a week before the due date to avoid late fees.
  • Credit card and third-party processor payments may charge convenience fees, while checks, money orders, and bank transfers through the county portal do not.
  • Your lender does not collect property taxes directly; if you have an escrow account, your lender pays the county on your behalf from that account.

Understanding LA County property tax due dates and penalties

LA County splits property taxes into two installments each year. The first installment is due November 1, and the second is due February 1. Both dates are firm — a payment received on November 2 or February 2 is considered late, even by one day. The county charges a 10% penalty on any installment not paid by the due date, plus interest that accrues daily after that.

If you miss the first installment deadline, you still have until February 1 to pay both installments without losing your home to a tax sale. However, the penalty and interest grow each month you wait. After three years of non-payment, the county can begin the process of selling your property for unpaid taxes, though you have the right to redeem (reclaim) the property by paying the full amount owed plus costs.

Some homeowners have their property taxes paid through an escrow account held by their mortgage lender. If that is your situation, your lender handles the payment to the county, and you do not pay the county directly. You can confirm this by checking your mortgage statement — it will show an escrow payment line item if your lender is paying taxes on your behalf.

How to find your parcel number and account information

Your property tax bill shows both your parcel number and your account number at the top. The parcel number is the county's unique identifier for your land and is the fastest way to look up your account online. If you cannot find your bill, you can search for your parcel number on the LA County Assessor's website using your address.

The Assessor's website also shows your assessed value, the breakdown of your tax bill, and any exemptions you may have claimed. This is useful if you want to understand why your tax amount changed year to year or if you think your property was assessed too high. You can file an appeal through the Assessor's office if you believe the assessment is wrong, though appeals must be filed within a specific window after you receive your bill.

Payment methods and processing fees

The LA County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk accepts multiple payment methods, but fees vary. Paying online by bank transfer or electronic check through the county portal carries no fee. Paying by credit card or debit card through the county website or an authorized processor typically costs 2% to 3% of the payment amount — a fee you pay, not the county.

Checks and money orders sent by mail are free, as are in-person payments at a county office. Some third-party payment processors (companies that collect taxes on behalf of the county) may charge different fees, so compare before choosing. If you use a processor other than the county's official portal, confirm that the processor is authorized and that your payment will reach the county before the due date.

Paying through your mortgage lender's escrow account is also free to you — your lender handles the payment as part of your monthly mortgage payment. However, you have no control over the exact date the lender pays the county, so if you are concerned about timing, contact your lender to confirm they have paid before the deadline.

What to do if you cannot pay on time

If you know you cannot pay by the due date, contact the LA County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk as soon as possible. The county does not offer formal payment plans or deferrals for property taxes, but staff can discuss your options and explain the penalty and interest that will accrue. Paying late is better than not paying at all, because the penalty and interest are far less costly than a tax sale.

Some homeowners may have access to for property tax exemptions or reductions based on age, disability, or income. If you think you may may have access to, the Assessor's office can tell you whether you are may be able to access and how to file. These exemptions must be claimed before or shortly after you receive your bill, so do not wait if you think you may have access to.

If you are facing financial hardship, local nonprofits and housing counselors sometimes offer emergency assistance for property taxes. Contact your city's housing department or a HUD-approved housing counselor to learn what programs may be available in your area. These are not county programs, but they may help you avoid a tax sale.

Checking your payment status and getting a receipt

After you pay online, the county's portal shows your payment status immediately. If you paid by mail or in person, allow a few business days for the payment to post to your account. You can check the status anytime by logging into the county's property tax portal with your parcel number or account number.

If you paid in person, ask for a receipt before you leave the office. If you paid by mail, keep a copy of your check or money order and the envelope with the postmark as proof of payment. If you paid online, print or save the confirmation page the portal provides. These records protect you if there is ever a dispute about whether the payment was received.

If your payment does not appear in the system after two weeks, contact the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk to confirm it was received. Occasionally checks are lost in the mail or payments are misdirected, so following up is worth the time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my property taxes through my mortgage lender?

If you have an escrow account with your lender, your lender pays property taxes automatically from that account as part of your monthly mortgage payment. You do not pay the county directly. Check your mortgage statement to see if an escrow payment is listed. If you do not have an escrow account, you must pay the county yourself.

What happens if I pay one day late?

A payment received one day after the due date is subject to a 10% penalty on that installment, plus daily interest. The penalty is calculated on the full amount of the installment, not just the portion you owe. Interest continues to accrue until the full amount is paid.

Do I have to pay both installments at once?

No. You can pay each installment separately by its own due date. However, if you miss the first installment (November 1), you cannot avoid the penalty by paying it later — the 10% penalty applies as soon as the deadline passes. You can pay both installments together if you prefer, but there is no advantage to doing so.

Where do I mail my property tax payment?

The mailing address is on your tax bill. Mail it to the LA County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk at the address listed. Use certified mail or a method that provides tracking if you want proof of delivery. Remember that the postmark date is what counts, not the date the county receives it, so mail at least a week early.

Can I set up automatic payments for my property taxes?

The LA County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk does not offer automatic recurring payments through the county portal. However, you can set up a one-time electronic payment each time a bill is due. Some banks allow you to schedule bill payments to the county, so check with your bank about that option.