D5 Update - Marin County Property Taxes & COVID-19

 

Marin County Property Taxes & COVID-19

The COVID-19 public health emergency is having a significant impact on our residents and businesses, and that includes the ability for many to pay their upcoming property taxes.

While the County does not have the authority to provide a blanket waiver of the April 10 deadline to file the second installment of annual property taxes without a penalty, it does have the ability to waive the penalty based on certain circumstances, including financial hardships due to COVID-19.

Between April 10 and May 15, taxpayers who were unable to pay on time for reasons related to COVID-19 may submit a COVID-19 Application for Penalty Waiver. Waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For more details about COVID-19 Penalty Waiver guidelines, the application for the Penalty Waiver, as well as detailed FAQs, visit the Tax Collector’s COVID-19 Webpage.

You can also contact the Tax Collectors Office, 415-473-6133, with questions.

To help support vital public services during the emergency, the County urges all taxpayers who have the ability to pay their taxes to comply with the deadline. There are 120 local public agencies such as fire departments, sanitation, and school districts that rely on property tax revenues to maintain essential services that are especially important during a public health emergency.

While the Tax Collector’s Office remains open at the Marin County Civic Center, taxpayers are requested to pay online, by phone or by mail, rather than visiting in-person to help prevent potential spread of COVID-19. The online and telephone payment service uses a secure internet portal, and there is no service fee when paying with an electronic check (e-check). Just like a paper check, an e-check uses the customer’s bank routing number and account number to complete the transaction.

Payments made by credit or debit card are subject to a service fee of 2.35% of the transaction, with a minimum fee of $1.49. Service fees for credit or debit card payments are not retained by County; they are paid to a service provider.

Here are several payment options for property owners:

• Pay online or by phone by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 10
• Pay online using Assessor Parcel Number: org/taxbillonline
• Pay by phone using tax bill number: 1-800-985-7277
• Pay by mail postmarked by Friday, April 10

Another great community resource for general COVID-19 information and available community resources is the Marin Health & Human Services Coronavirus website, which has very helpful FAQs that are updated regularly. You can also direct questions to the COVID-19 Information Line at 415-473-7191 (CA Relay Service Dial 711). Phone calls are answered Monday-Friday, 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-5:00pm. Questions can also be emailed to: COVID-19@marincounty.org

 

I know these are difficult and trying times and I thank you all for doing your part to adhere to the shelter-in-place order. All of your efforts are critical to "flattening" the curve and protecting our health care system.  

 

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