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You are responsible for any taxes which were not paid as of the time
escrow closed. Even though taxes are prorated between the buyer and seller during escrow
and proper credit is given to each, the actual taxes may not have been paid to the Tax
Collector at that time. You should read your escrow papers and/or title report to
determine if any portion of the annual taxes were paid by the previous owner before the
close of escrow. The Tax Collector will try, but may not be able, to send you a bill for
the remainder of the year in which you acquired the property prior to the tax installment
deadlines unless you request it. Annual tax bills, which can be paid in two installments,
are mailed once a year by November 1. Since the bill contains payment stubs for both
installments, this is the only bill regularly mailed each year by the Tax
Collector. Depending on when the ownership change is placed on the tax roll, the annual
tax bill could be sent either to the previous owner or directly to you. If there are any
remaining unpaid taxes, and if you did not receive an annual tax bill from either the
previous owner or the Tax Collector, you should contact the Tax Collector immediately and
request one. It is your responsibility to obtain the bill. State law stipulates that
failure to receive a bill does not permit the Tax Collector to excuse penalties on late
payments.
In addition to annual taxes, you will probably be responsible for
paying supplemental property taxes. Any time property is sold or new construction occurs,
the property is reassessed. If the property has been reassessed at a higher value, you
will receive one supplemental tax bill in addition to the annual bill mentioned above.
(For more information on supplemental tax bills, please read our information on
Supplemental Property Taxes). If the property has been
reassessed at a lower value, you will receive a refund.
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