This page helps users handle a property tax need in Ventura County, California, including finding a bill, checking payment options, reviewing deadlines, and knowing which office to contact.
Ventura County property tax payments and bill lookups route through WebTaxOnline and the Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector. Assessment value questions may involve the Ventura County Assessor, while tax rate questions may involve the Auditor-Controller.
WebTaxOnline property tax bills and payments
Use search or pay through WebTaxOnline to access secured or secured supplemental tax bill information. The online system can be used to pay secured or secured supplemental taxes, view those bills, review payment history for the last calendar year, and check defaulted property status and amount due.
Have one of these details ready before looking up a bill:
- Property address
- Assessor’s Parcel Number, also called APN
The Treasurer-Tax Collector also notes that online payments are available only in the United States. Payments from outside the United States cannot be processed because of firewall restrictions.
- Open WebTaxOnline or the Treasurer-Tax Collector payment page.
- Select the online payment option for secured or secured supplemental taxes.
- Enter the property address or APN to find the tax bill.
- Review the bill, payment history, default status, and amount due before submitting payment.
Review payment details carefully. Incorrect account information can lead to a rejected online payment and a non-refundable $50 returned payment fee per statement.
Secured property tax deadlines
Secured property taxes apply to real property such as homes and land. Ventura County follows the standard two-installment schedule for annual secured taxes.
| Date | Property tax event | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| On or before August 1 | Value notices mailed | The County Assessor mails value notices. |
| On or before November 1 | Secured tax bills mailed | The County Tax Collector mails secured tax bills to assessees. |
| November 1 to December 10 | First installment due period | A 10% delinquent penalty applies if the installment is not received or postmarked by December 10. |
| February 1 to April 10 | Second installment due period | A 10% delinquent penalty plus a $30 cost applies if the installment is not received or postmarked by April 10. |
| June 30 | Default date for unpaid secured taxes | If both secured installments remain unpaid, the taxes go into default and additional monthly penalties may accrue. |
Online payment fees and limits
The online payment system charges service or convenience fees collected by the third-party processing company. Ventura County does not receive those fees.
| Payment method | Fee | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card | 2.75% of the total transaction amount | The online system does not allow partial credit card payments. |
| Debit card | 1.75% of the total transaction amount | Only one account may be used per transaction. |
| Checking account | $1.10 regardless of payment amount | Payments must cover full installment amounts. |
| Returned item | $50.00 | A rejected payment can trigger the returned payment fee. |
The Treasurer-Tax Collector recommends paying from a computer. Payments made from mobile devices, including cell phones and iPads, have been problematic.
Penalties, default, and redemption
If the first installment is not paid by the end of the business day on December 10, or postmarked by that date, the installment becomes delinquent and a 10% penalty is added. If the second installment is not paid by the end of the business day on April 10, or postmarked by that date, a 10% penalty and a $30 administrative charge are added.
If unpaid delinquent taxes remain at the close of business on June 30, the property becomes tax defaulted. A $15 redemption fee is added, and additional penalties accrue at 1.5% per month on the unpaid taxes.
To request a payoff amount for redemption, contact the Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector and provide the Assessor’s Identification Number or the property address. The office also asks taxpayers to specify the date they want to redeem so the penalty can be calculated properly.
Supplemental property tax bills
California law requires reassessment after a change in ownership or completion of new construction. In many cases, this can result in one or two secured supplemental tax bills in addition to the annual secured bill.
Supplemental tax bill delinquency dates depend on when the bill is created. If a supplemental bill is created between July 1 and October 30, the first installment is delinquent after December 10 and the second after April 10. If the bill is created between November 1 and June 30, the printed delinquency dates are based on the mailing and installment schedule.
If the property address on a supplemental bill is not yours, contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector for the correct tax bill and contact the Assessor to correct the master property record.
Assessment values, appeals, and tax rates
The County Assessor determines property value before taxes are calculated. Proposition 13 generally limits assessed value increases to no more than 2% per year until the property is sold or new construction is completed, but restoration after a decline in value appraisal or Calamity Review may exceed 2% annually.
The Auditor-Controller applies tax rates, including the general tax levy, voter-approved special taxes, and city or district direct assessments. The general tax levy is limited to $1 per $100 of assessed value. If you have a five-digit TRA from your tax statement, you can use the Auditor-Controller check the Tax Rate Database.
For assessment appeals, Ventura County lists Assessment Appeals Applications through the Clerk of the Board. The important dates page also lists September 16, 2024 as the last day to file an appeal for the January 1, 2024 regular assessment.
Postmarks, mailed payments, and missing bills
Standard USPS postmarks can matter when determining whether a property tax payment is timely. A circular stamped postmark from a USPS postal worker supersedes the standard electronic imprinted postmark. Metered mail, pre-canceled stamps, and automated Postal Center stamps are not accepted postmarks for this purpose.
If a mailed payment has not cleared, the Treasurer-Tax Collector says payments received during peak periods may take up to 10 business days to process. If more than 15 days have passed since mailing the check, contact the office by phone, email, or in person.
If you do not receive an annual secured tax bill by November 10, use WebTaxOnline to get annual secured billing information online, including a copy of the property tax bill, or contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector.
Exemptions, postponement, and refunds
Property tax savings such as homeowners’ exemptions, nonprofit exemptions, ownership transfer within the family, senior citizen tax savings, veterans’ exemptions, disaster tax relief, and builder’s exclusions are handled by the Ventura County Assessor as part of the assessment process.
Parcel tax exemptions may apply to qualified special taxes for taxpayers who meet listed criteria, including certain older adults and certain disability benefit recipients. The Treasurer-Tax Collector directs taxpayers to the relevant school district for parcel tax exemption details when the district places a parcel tax on the annual secured property tax bill.
The State Controller’s Office administers the Property Tax Postponement Program for eligible homeowners who want to postpone current-year property taxes on a primary residence. Funding is limited and distributed on a first come, first served basis.
Ventura County property tax contacts
Use these contacts for property tax payments, tax bills, assessment questions, tax rates, and appeals.
- Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector, Hall of Administration, Ventura County Government Center, 800 South Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009-1290. Phone assistance: (805) 654-3744, Monday – Friday, 8am-12pm and 1-4:30 pm. Email: [email protected]. Office hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday; cash transactions accepted until 4:30 pm.
- Ventura County Assessor, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA 93009. Phone: (805) 654-2181. Email: [email protected].
- Auditor-Controller Property Tax hotline. Phone: (805) 654-3181.
- Assessment Appeals Applications, Clerk of the Board. Phone: (805) 654-2251.
Common questions
Where can I look up or pay a Ventura County property tax bill online?
Use WebTaxOnline to view secured or secured supplemental tax bills, pay those taxes, review recent payment history, and check defaulted property status.
What information do I need to find a tax bill?
You can use the property address or the Assessor’s Parcel Number, also called APN, to access annual secured billing information online.
When are secured property tax installments delinquent?
The first installment becomes delinquent after December 10. The second installment becomes delinquent after April 10. If either date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the delinquency date is the next business day.
Can I make a partial online property tax payment?
No. Ventura County states that only full installments are payable and the online system does not allow partial credit card payments.
Who handles questions about assessed property value?
Contact the Ventura County Assessor for assessed value questions, exemptions handled through the assessment process, and master property record corrections.
What happens if my property taxes default?
If unpaid delinquent taxes remain as of the June 30 default date, a $15 redemption fee is added and penalties begin accruing at 1.5% per month on the unpaid taxes.