Look Up and Pay Property Taxes in Santa Clara County

This page helps users handle property tax lookup and payment tasks in Santa Clara County, California, including secured and unsecured tax bills, online payment options, and next steps when information does not match.

The County of Santa Clara Department of Tax and Collections provides the official property tax payment site, separate secured and unsecured search paths, and staff support for payment questions, penalties, and refunds.

County of Santa Clara property tax payment site

Use the County of Santa Clara Department of Tax and Collections payment site to search for a bill, review the item details, add the correct item to your cart, and check out with an available payment method.

Have the right information ready before searching:

• For secured property tax, use an Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) or property address.
• For unsecured property tax, use an assessment number, Assessor’s account number, business name, or business address.

Choose the search path that matches the type of tax bill you need.

• For homes, buildings, or land, open the secured property address search.
• For businesses, boats, airplanes, or other unsecured property, open the unsecured property assessment search.
• Enter the required search information and review the item details before adding the bill to your cart.
• Use checkout after the correct item is in the cart.

If no results are found, confirm that the information is in the correct field; some items may need to be handled in person through the Department of Tax and Collections.

Secured and unsecured property tax options

Secured property tax covers homes, buildings, and land. The Department of Tax and Collections says secured bills can be viewed and paid online with an APN or property address.

Unsecured property tax covers businesses, boats, and airplanes. The unsecured payment path accepts an assessment number, Assessor’s account number, business name, or business address.

The main property tax payment site lets users start from the secured or unsecured tax category and pay bills online.

Online payment fees and site availability

Online payments may be made by major credit card, debit card, or eCheck, depending on the tax type. The Department of Tax and Collections lists a convenience fee for credit and debit card payments and no fee for eCheck payments.

Property tax due dates

Santa Clara County lists separate timing for secured and unsecured property taxes. Check the bill for notes about penalties, fees, and consequences of paying after the delinquent date.

If December 10, April 10, or August 31 falls on a weekend or County of Santa Clara holiday, the delinquent date is extended to the next business day.

Multiple property tax payments in one cart

The payment site allows multiple properties to be paid in one transaction. Add each property tax item to the cart, return home, search for the next item, and repeat until the cart is ready for checkout.

Up to 30 items can be paid in one transaction. All items in the cart will be paid, so remove any APN or assessment number that should not be included before checkout.

Penalty cancellation requests

A taxpayer may request cancellation of a penalty assessed on a secured or unsecured property tax bill only as allowed by the California Revenue and Taxation Code. The penalty must be paid first, and the request must include the completed form and supporting documentation.

• Pay the penalty in full before requesting review.
• Complete the penalty cancellation form with contact, mailing, bill, APN, or assessment information.
• Explain why the penalty may qualify for cancellation under the applicable law.
• Attach documentation that supports the request.
• Submit the signed form online or by mail.

The review process may take 60–90 days. If the penalty is cancelled, the taxpayer receives a refund.

Electronic notices and unclaimed property tax refunds

The Department of Tax and Collections offers electronic notifications for property tax due dates and other department updates. Homeowners can also opt in for paperless billing.

For unclaimed property tax refunds, users can search by name and submit a claim with required documents. The claim review process may take 45–60 days based on claim volume.

• Government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license, ID card, or passport.
• Proof of ownership for the listed APN.
• Notarized limited power of attorney if filing for someone else.

Property tax contacts

Use the Department of Tax and Collections contacts below for property tax questions, secured or unsecured tax bills, penalty cancellation, and refund-related help.

• Department of Tax and Collections, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134
  Office hours: 8:00AM - 5:00PM (Monday thru Friday)
  Phone hours: 9:00AM - 4:00PM (Monday thru Friday)
  Closed on County holidays
• Property taxes
  Phone: (408) 808-7900
  Email: scctax@fin.sccgov.org
• Secured property tax, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134
  Phone: (408) 808-7900
  Fax: (408) 279-0357
  Email: scctax@fin.sccgov.org
• Unsecured property tax, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134
  Phone: (408) 808-7962
  Fax: (408) 279-0357
  Email: scctax@fin.sccgov.org
• Property tax penalty cancellation, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134
  Phone: (408) 808-7900
• Unclaimed property tax, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134
  Phone: (408) 808-7949
  Email: dtac-prop-refunds@fin.sccgov.org