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Understanding Property Taxes in Contra Costa County
Property tax is a tax levied directly on a property. This differentiates it from taxes that are restricted to an individual, since a property can have multiple occupants. The tax is typically used for funding things like:
- Local school districts
- Infrastructure
- Public transport
- Other municipal government schemes
The tax is calculated as a percentage of the overall value of the home. As mentioned, the rate is usually 1% of that value plus any direct and/or special assessment amounts. These are municipal bonds secured by local government pledges to direct tax revenues to repay bondholders.
The entity responsible for assessing the assessed market value of a property in Contra Costa County is the Contra Costa County Tax Assessor’s Office. They also determine the tax rate that will apply to every property.
How Much Are Property Taxes In Contra Costa County?
The average amount a person pays in Contra Costa for property tax will depend on two things:
- The assessed market value of the property
- The local property tax rate (including the local direct and/or special assessments for the area)
As such, we can only calculate a rough average for the county. Though the tax rate is 1%, tax data indicates that the county collects an average of 1.1% of a property’s assessed value.
We have explained that the basic property tax rate in Contra Costa is 1% and that this is based on the assessed value of a property.
Property tax rates have been consistent in the county over the last 10 years. But rising property values have led to the amount being paid going up. This is because Contra Costa is a very desirable county for many people. The tax paid helps contribute to this, funding many important social and community programs that improve the quality of life here.
How To Calculate Property Taxes In Contra Costa County?
In Contra Costa County, precise property tax rates vary from one city to the next. The basic calculation is that the assessed value of a property is multiplied by 1% to calculate the ad valorem tax rate. After this, additional amounts from direct and/or special assessments are added, but this can change annually.
Property in the state of California must be formally reassessed for tax purposes whenever new construction or improvements take place. The same is true for whenever a property is sold. The assessed value of a property is limited to an increase no greater than 2% per year unless a change in ownership or new construction occurs.
The assessed value of the property is typically based on the most recent sale price.
So no matter what type of property you are looking at in Contra Costa County, the process for calculating the property tax will be the same. You need to know the local property tax rate for the area, and you need to look at the property itself and the value of similar properties in the area.
So if you were interested in a single family detached residence with a pool, you would need to look at the value of homes with a similar description in the neighborhood. Once you have a rough estimate for the value, you would look at the local tax rate for the area. Finally, multiply the estimated value by the local tax rate plus and direct and/or special assessments and you will see roughly how much the property tax is for the year. The process would be the same for any property type in any area.
How To Pay Your Contra Costa County Property Taxes?
Property tax bills arrive in the mail at the property and they become payable from November 1st. The person listed as the property owner as of January 1st receives the tax bill and is legally responsible for making the payment. If ownership of the property changed during the year, the Tax Collector should have been notified.
There are several ways to pay property tax in Contra Costa County:
- By mail: There will be a San Francisco mailing address on the tax bill. Payments can be sent here.
- In person: To do this, you would have to visit the Contra Costa County Administration Building, which is at 651 Pine Street, Martinez.
- Over the phone: The number to call is 925-957-5280 to make the payment over the phone. You will need your Assessor’s Identification Number (AIN).
- Online: The website is https://www.contracostatc.org/. You will need your account number to make the payment, which you will find on your property tax bill.
Please note that credit card payments will be subject to a 2.5% convenience fee. Debit card payments will not incur a charge.
Contra Costa County Property Tax Due Dates
Treasurers and Tax Collectors are legally required to mail out Annual Property Tax Bills by the end of November each year. The first installment becomes payable from November 1st and you have until December 10th to make the payment. The second installment becomes payable from February 1st and becomes delinquent after April 10th. If you choose to, you can pay both installments within that first window.
The details of your property tax due date will be written on your property tax bill. If you have any questions, you can find many answers at the Contra Costa Government website. Alternatively, you can contact your local tax collector to ask any questions you might have about due dates or anything else.
If you do not pay your bill before the deadline, there will be penalty charges.
What Happens If Your Payment Is Late
Failure to pay your property tax bill before delinquency will incur fees. You will be required to pay a tax penalty of 10% plus an administrative fee of $30. Additional penalties of 1.5% per month will apply, starting on the 1st day of the 2nd month after delinquency. This will continue until the tax is paid in full.
It is wise to contact the tax collector before the deadline if you know you will not be able to make the payment on time. There may be a way to come to an alternative arrangement. Upon failure to make the payment before the due date, tax collectors may use any of the following measures to collect property taxes:
- Liens
- Legal actions
- Summary judgments
- Seizure and sale of your personal property
You will have the opportunity to lodge an appeal in this instance. Only do so if you have grounds for an appeal. Otherwise, you will lose your appeal and it could end up costing you even more money.
How To Lower Your Tax Liability?
Naturally, all people who own property want to keep their tax bill to a minimum. There are a few ways to lower your tax liability.
- Homeowners exemption
- Reassessment for Decreased Property Value
- Special tax exemptions/exclusions
Homeowners exemption
The Contra Costa Homeowners’ Exemption may be a way to lower your property tax bill. It applies if:
- You own and occupy your home
- It is your principal place of residence as of January 1st
If you meet these criteria, you can apply for an exemption. It will take $7,000 off the assessed value of your home or $70 off your tax bill if you qualify.
New property owners will receive an application for this exemption automatically. Once granted, it remains in effect until it is terminated or the property changes hands.
Reassessment of value
If you believe your property has decreased in value, you can contact the county tax assessors office to request a review. The county assessor may agree with the information provided and lower the assessed value. However, if there is still a dispute about the value you can file an assessment appeal application. This must be done between July 2nd and November 30th. There will be a formal appeal and the appeals board will determine the value based on all the information presented.
Special tax exemptions/exclusions
There are a variety of special tax exemptions and/or exclusions to lower your tax bill for qualified individuals.
Special tax exemptions/exclusions
- Seniors
- Veterans
- Non-profit and religious institutions
- Proposition 19
The California State Board of Equalization has a list of exemptions and exclusions on their website to explore ways you might be able to lower your tax liability.
What Is Contra Costa Homeowners Property Tax Exemption?
The Contra Costa Homeowners’ Exemption may be a way to lower your property tax bill. It applies if:
- You own and occupy your home
- It is your principal place of residence as of January 1st
If you meet these criteria, you can apply for an exemption. It will take $7,000 off the assessed value of your home or $70 off your tax bill if you qualify.
New property owners will receive an application for this exemption automatically. Once granted, it remains in effect until it is terminated or the property changes hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Are Property Taxes In Contra Costa County?
The basic property tax rate in Contra Costa is 1% plus any special assessment amounts that apply.
How To Pay Your Contra Costa County Property Taxes?
Property tax in Contra Costa can be paid by mail, in person, over the phone or online. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, credit card or e-check.
What Happens If Your Payment Is Late?
If you are delinquent in payment, you will have to pay a tax penalty of 10% plus an administrative fee of $30. An additional 1.5% is added every month, so it is prudent to make the payment quickly.
