Property Tax Deadline Approaches

San Bernardino County Tax Collector Larry Walker is encouraging property owners to pay the second installment of their property taxes by Friday, April 10th to avoid the 10 percent penalty. “Property taxes 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 April 10th deadline to prevent incurring costly penalties that come with late payments.” Making a payment is simple for residents who have the option of paying online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Payments can be made online at www.MyTaxCollector.com, 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. Internet and telephone payments can be made using a checking or savings account free of charge. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit card payments are also accepted, and include a convenience fee charged by the issuing bank. To make a payment by phone, property owners can call 909387-8308. 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. Payments received after April 10, 2015, without a USPS cancellation mark are considered late and incur the 10 percent penalty. Mailed payments should be sent to the Tax Collector’s Office, 172 West Third Street, First Floor, San Bernardino, California, 92415. Only payments with a USPS postmark cancellation on or before April 10, 2015, will be considered timely. Payments in person can be made by cash, check, or money order at 172 West Third Street in San Bernardino, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. 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.