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Important California Property Tax Dates

The following schedule lists some of the more significant dates for California property taxes affecting property owners. This calendar was compiled from the State of California ' Letters to Assessors 2004 Property Tax Calendar' which is published by the State Board of Equalization. The BOE's Property Taxes Law Guide has a complete 23-page calendar beginning on page 1001. The BOE also maintains a very comprehensive Index to property tax regulatory information. Please note this is a partial list and is intended to be used as a general guide.

January 1  Lien Date - date for valuation, date taxes attach to property as a lien (was March 1 through 1996 for locally-assessed property)  

January 1  Exempt entities; first day to file affidavit and claim for exemption (delinquent 5 p.m. on February 15)  

January 1  Churches and Churches with schools; first day to file affidavit and claim for Church or Religious exemption (delinquent 5 p.m. on February 15)  

January 1  Document vessel owners; first day to file affidavit for classification (delinquent 5 p.m. on February 1)  

February 1  Second installment secured property taxes due (delinquent after 4/10)  

February 15  Exempt entities, homeowners, other applicants for exemption; affidavits and claim forms due  

February 15  Churches and churches with schools; affidavits and claim forms due  

February 15  Owners of documented vessels, historical aircraft; affidavits and claim forms due  

March 1  Taxes on unsecured roll due (delinquent date stated on tax bill)  

March 1  Business property statements due (delinquent after May 7 or Assessor's date)  

April 1  Earliest date assessors can set as due date for filing property statements. To assess penalties for late filing, assessors must send a 
registered mail 15-day notice or a regular mail 20-day notice. If no letter is mailed, the penalty deadline is May 7.  

April 10  Property owners; second installment of secured property taxes become delinquent after 4/10, 5:00 p.m.  

May 7  Business property statements due if requested or required (MUST FILE if own >$100,00 of property  

May 31  Last day to amend property statements 

July 2 - Sept 15 Assessment Appeals filing period for regular-period assessments. Most other assessments must be appealed 60 days after notice. 

August 1 Last day for tax collectors to issue unsecured tax bills  

August 31 Last day to pay unsecured tax bills 

Sept 15  Last day to file assessment appeals in some counties 

November 15  Last day to file assessment appeals on January 2 through June 30 transfers with no assessment notice to new purchaser 

November 1  First installment of secured taxes due (delinquent after 12/10)  

November 15  Last day to file assessment appeals in some counties 

December 10  First installment of secured taxes delinquent after 12/10, 5:00 p.m.