How to pay San Mateo County, CA property tax
✓ Verified — Last verified October 24, 2026
Payment details from the official sources for San Mateo County. Check the tax year and parcel on your bill before submitting a payment.
Pay on the official siteNot tax or legal advice; confirm with your county.
Payment methods and fees
Sources. Checked .
Published installment dates
Sources. Checked .
Tax year 2026. Dates retain the year published by the source.
Published late-payment rule
First installment: 10% after the payment deadline. Second installment: 10% plus $40. At tax default, $35 redemption fee plus 1.5% monthly penalty. Delinquent dates move to the next business day on weekends or holidays. Source
Officially published
Official offices
Sources. Checked .
San Mateo County Tax Collector Source
Sources for these instructions
Checked .
Read the source quotations (16)
https://www.smcgov.org/tax/using-tax-payment-system
There is no charge for electronic check (e-check) payments. You may also pay online by using a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express).
Checked .
https://www.smcgov.org/tax/using-tax-payment-system
There is no charge for electronic check (e-check) payments. You may also pay online by using a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express). All credit card payments are processed through our payment service. Please be aware that there is a 2.35% service fee for payments.
Checked .
https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/calendar.htm
§ 2605 Rev. & Tax. Code November 1 Property owners First installment of real property taxes and all taxes on personal property on the secured roll are due and payable.
Checked .
https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/calendar.htm
§§ 2617 and 2704 Rev. & Tax. Code December 10 Property owners First installment of taxes on the secured roll, if unpaid, is delinquent at 5:00 p.m. or close of business day, whichever is later.
Checked .
https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/calendar.htm
If the specified date falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, the action may be done on the next business day. (Government Code §§ 6706, 6707)
Checked .
https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/calendar.htm
§ 2606 Rev. & Tax. Code February 1 Property owners Second installment real property taxes due and payable.
Checked .
https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/calendar.htm
§§ 2617 and 2704 Rev. & Tax. Code December 10 Property owners First installment of taxes on the secured roll, if unpaid, is delinquent at 5:00 p.m. or close of business day, whichever is later.
Checked .
https://www.smcgov.org/tax
A 10% penalty is added the next day A 10% penalty plus $40.00 cost is added the next day A redemption fee of $35.00 and a monthly penalty of 1.5% will be added to Secured defaulted parcels If a delinquent date falls on a weekend or holiday, the delinquent date is the next business day.
Checked .
https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/news/county-controller-publishes-property-tax-highlights-fy-2024-25
More recently, they grew by 4.9 percent for FY 2025-26, and by 4.3 percent for FY 2026-27 based on assessed values as of the lien date of January 1, 2026.
Checked .
https://smcacre.gov/assessor/location/assessor-division
555 County Center 3rd Floor Redwood City, CA 94063-1665
Checked .
Continue with your property
Common questions
Where can I pay San Mateo County property tax?
Official payment portal: https://www.smcgov.org/tax. Electronic check, Credit card
Latest source check .