This page helps users handle a property tax need in Kern County, California, including paying tax bills, checking key deadlines, understanding supplemental bills, and finding the right county office for follow-up.
The Kern County Treasurer and Tax Collector is the main office for tax bill payment and collection, while the Assessor-Recorder, Auditor-Controller-County Clerk, and Clerk of the Board each handle related parts of the property tax process.
Kern County property tax payment options
Use the Kern County Treasurer and Tax Collector’s online payment page to pay property taxes or review payment options. Payments may also be mailed to the payment processing center listed by the Treasurer-Tax Collector.
Pay Kern County property taxes online
Payment by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card, and electronic checks is accepted through the Treasurer and Tax Collector’s website.
Have your tax bill details ready before using the payment system or contacting the office.
- Confirm whether the bill is secured, unsecured, supplemental, or tax-defaulted.
- Check the installment due date and delinquency date before paying.
- Use the bill information to verify the amount due.
- For mailed payments, use the Treasurer-Tax Collector payment processing address shown in the contact section.
Property Tax Portal
The Kern County Property Tax Portal gives taxpayers an overview of the local property tax process and points users to commonly requested property tax information.
Review the Kern County Property Tax Portal
The portal identifies the major county offices involved in property taxes and separates resources by topic, including paying property taxes, supplemental tax information, parcel information, assessment appeals, tax relief, unclaimed tax refunds, and tax-defaulted property sales.
| Office | Property tax role |
|---|---|
| Assessor-Recorder | Determines the property or entity to be assessed and transmits assessed values. |
| Auditor-Controller-County Clerk | Calculates the taxes due and distributes collected property tax money to taxing entities. |
| Treasurer-Tax Collector | Mails tax bills and collects the amount due. |
| Clerk of the Board | Handles assessment appeal filings with the Assessment Appeals Board. |
Secured property tax deadlines
Kern County secured property tax bills follow a two-installment schedule. A delinquent date that falls on a weekend or holiday moves to the next business day.
| Date or period | What happens |
|---|---|
| July 1 | The fiscal year begins. |
| October | The Treasurer-Tax Collector mails original secured property tax bills. |
| November 1 | The first installment is due. |
| December 10 | The first installment becomes delinquent after 5:00 p.m., and a 10% penalty is added. |
| February 1 | The second installment is due. |
| April 10 | The second installment becomes delinquent after 5:00 p.m., and a 10% penalty plus a $10.00 cost is added. |
| May | Delinquent notices are mailed for unpaid regular current taxes. |
| June 30 or July 1 | Delinquent accounts transfer to the delinquent tax roll, with additional penalties of 1.5% per month on unpaid tax amounts plus a $15.00 redemption fee. |
Supplemental tax bills
California law requires reassessment after a change of ownership or completion of new construction. That reassessment can create one or more supplemental tax bills in addition to the annual property tax bill.
Supplemental tax bills are mailed directly to the property owner. If taxes are paid through an impound account, the owner is responsible for contacting the lender to determine who will pay the supplemental bill.
The Treasurer-Tax Collector provides a supplemental tax bill calculator for taxpayers who recently purchased property or are considering a purchase during the fiscal year.
- Assessor’s Tax Number
- Purchase date
- Purchase price
- Whether the buyer will reside in the home
Supplemental assessment appeals must be filed within 60 days of the date of the Supplemental Assessment Notice. Regular assessment appeals must be filed between July 2 and November 30.
Unclaimed property tax refunds
The Kern County Auditor-Controller’s Property Tax section handles unclaimed property tax refunds. These refunds generally result from roll corrections or cancellations.
Some unclaimed refunds involve warrants or checks that remain uncashed for more than six months. Other unclaimed property tax refunds require a claim form before a warrant or check can be issued.
For claim form instructions on unclaimed property tax refunds, contact the Auditor-Controller’s office directly at the phone number listed in the contact section.
Tax-defaulted property sales
Properties that remain tax-defaulted for five years or more can be offered at a tax-defaulted land sale. Kern County states that tax sales usually occur in March, and the sale list is advertised on the Internet approximately 30 days before the auction date.
The Treasurer-Tax Collector does not sell tax lien certificates and does not maintain a permanent tax sale mailing list. Tax-defaulted properties are sold at public sale, and prospective bidders must register through GovEase to participate.
Tax sale properties are sold as is. Kern County makes no guarantee, expressed or implied, about title, location, or condition of properties offered for sale.
Property tax postponement
The State Controller’s Property Tax Postponement Program allows qualifying homeowners who are seniors, are blind, or have a disability to defer current-year property taxes on a principal residence if program criteria are met.
The program requires at least 40% equity in the home and an annual household income of $55,181 or less, among other requirements. Deferred taxes are secured by a lien against the property and must eventually be repaid.
For the 2025-26 program timeline, applications are available in September 2025, the filing period opens October 1, 2025, and the filing period closes February 10, 2026.
Property tax contacts
Use these contacts for payment, assessment, appeal, refund, and postponement questions tied to Kern County property taxes.
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Kern County Treasurer and Tax Collector, 1115 Truxtun Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301-4639
Phone: (661) 868-3490
Fax: (661) 868-3409
Email: [email protected] - Treasurer-Tax Collector payment processing center, P.O. Box 541004, Los Angeles, CA 90054-1004
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Kern County Assessor-Recorder
Phone: (661) 868-3485 -
Kern County Auditor-Controller-County Clerk, 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301-4639
Office hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Mon-Fri
Phone: (661) 868-3599
Property tax refund claim help: (661) 868-3536 - Clerk of the Board, Attn: Assessment-Appeals Clerk, 1115 Truxtun Ave, 5th Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301
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State Controller’s Property Tax Postponement Program
Phone: (800) 952-5661
Email: [email protected]
Common questions
Where do I pay Kern County property taxes online?
Use the Kern County Treasurer and Tax Collector’s online property tax payment page to pay by supported card types or electronic check.
Which office mails and collects Kern County property tax bills?
The Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector mails property tax bills and collects the amount due.
When is the first secured property tax installment delinquent?
The first installment is due November 1 and becomes delinquent after 5:00 p.m. on December 10, when a 10% penalty is added.
When is the second secured property tax installment delinquent?
The second installment is due February 1 and becomes delinquent after 5:00 p.m. on April 10, when a 10% penalty plus a $10.00 cost is added.
Will my lender receive my Kern County supplemental tax bill?
No. Supplemental tax bills are mailed directly to the property owner. If you use an impound account, contact your lender to determine who will pay the supplemental bill.
Who handles unclaimed property tax refunds in Kern County?
The Kern County Auditor-Controller’s Property Tax section handles unclaimed property tax refunds that generally result from roll corrections or cancellations.
Does Kern County sell tax lien certificates?
No. The Kern County Treasurer and Tax Collector states that it does not sell tax lien certificates. Tax-defaulted properties are sold at public sale.