Property Tax Deadline Approaching

San Bernardino County Tax Collector Larry Walker is encouraging property owners to pay the first installment of their property taxes by Wednesday, Dec. 10 to avoid the 10% penalty. Making a payment is simple for taxpayers who have the option of paying online, by mail, or in person. Payments can be made online at www.MyTaxCollector.com, 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, free of charge, using a checking or savings account. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit card payments are also accepted, and include a convenience fee charged by the issuing bank. If using online bill pay through a banking institution, taxpayers should contact their bank regarding procedures for ensuring timely payment of taxes and their bank’s use of USPS cancellation marks. These transactions often result in a mailed check, and payments received after Dec. 10, without a USPS cancellation mark are considered late and incur a penalty. Mailed payments should be sent to SBC Tax Collector, 172 West Third Street, First Floor, San Bernardino, California, 92415. Only payments with a USPS postmark cancellation on or before Dec. 10 are considered timely. Payments in person can be made by cash, check, credit card, or money order at 172 West Third Street in San Bernardino, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Payments by check or credit card will also be accepted at the High Desert Government Center, 15900 Smoke Tree Street in Hesperia, from December 1 through December 10, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. “Property tax dollars are used to fund key public services that enhance the quality of life for our residents,” said Walker. “I want to encourage property owners to do what they can to pay their property taxes by the December 10 due date to prevent incurring costly penalties that come with late payments. Taxpayers can take advantage of our online payment option at www.MyTaxCollector.com - it’s easy, secure, and Simply A Better Way To Do Business®!” Property tax revenues collected by the Tax Collector are distributed to local government entities, including school districts, cities, libraries, special districts, and the County. These tax dollars are used to fund key public services including education, police and fire protection, social and public health services.