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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Los Angeles County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Los Angeles County, CA. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
1.10% - 1.25% (varies by location)
1st Due
Nov 1
2nd Due
Feb 1
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Los Angeles County operates one of the largest property tax systems in California, serving over 2.4 million property owners across 88 cities and numerous unincorporated areas. Property taxes in Los Angeles County fund essential local services including schools, fire and police protection, libraries, parks, and county operations. The county's Treasurer and Tax Collector mails approximately 2.4 million Annual Secured Property Tax Bills each fiscal year, making it one of the most extensive property tax operations in the United States.

What makes Los Angeles County's property tax system unique is its complexity due to the sheer number of taxing jurisdictions and special assessment districts within the county. The system operates under California's Proposition 13 framework, which limits the base tax rate to 1% of assessed value, though additional voter-approved bonds and assessments can increase the total rate. Los Angeles County has seen recent changes with Measure A, approved by voters in November 2024, which repealed the previous 0.250% countywide tax from Measure H and implemented a new 0.500% countywide tax, effectively increasing rates by 0.250% starting April 1, 2025.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate RangeDescription
General Tax Levy1.00%Base rate mandated by Proposition 13
School Districts0.15% - 0.35%Voter-approved school bonds
City Taxes0.05% - 0.25%Municipal bonds and assessments
Special Districts0.10% - 0.30%Fire, water, library, and other districts
County Measure A0.50%Countywide tax (increased from 0.25% in 2025)
Total Effective Rate1.10% - 1.25%Typical range for most properties

The total effective property tax rate in Los Angeles County typically ranges from 1.10% to 1.25% of assessed value, though some areas may see slightly higher rates depending on local voter-approved bonds and special assessments. The base 1% general tax levy is applied countywide and cannot be exceeded except for voter-approved debt service. As noted in county documentation, "in most of Los Angeles County, the total tax rate does not exceed 1.25%."

Starting April 1, 2025, property owners will see rate increases due to Measure A. For example, unincorporated Los Angeles County areas saw rates increase from 9.500% to 9.750%, while the City of Alhambra experienced an increase from 10.250% to 10.500%. These percentages represent sales tax rates but reflect the same Measure A impact on property tax calculations.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Los Angeles County, property taxes are due in two installments:

First Installment
Nov 1
Delinquent after Dec 10
Second Installment
Feb 1
Delinquent after Apr 10
Second Installment
Dec 10
Delinquent after Apr 10
Second Installment
Apr 10
Delinquent after Apr 10
Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental property taxes are additional tax bills issued when there is a change in ownership or completion of new construction that increases a property's assessed value. In Los Angeles County, any time the Assessor's office reassesses a property at a higher value due to these triggers, property owners receive one or more Supplemental Tax Bills in addition to their regular Annual Secured Property Tax Bill.

When Supplemental Taxes Are Assessed:

  • Change in ownership (purchase, transfer, inheritance)
  • New construction completion
  • Major improvements or additions
  • Removal of exemptions

How to Calculate Supplemental Taxes: The supplemental tax is calculated on the difference between the old assessed value and the new assessed value, prorated for the remaining months in the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). The formula is: (New Assessed Value - Old Assessed Value) × Tax Rate × (Months Remaining ÷ 12).

Common Scenarios: Los Angeles County notes that supplemental taxes can become complex in situations involving multiple ownership changes in a calendar year, partial interest transfers where less than 100% of property changes hands, or when both ownership changes and new construction occur simultaneously. For these atypical situations, the county provides a Supplemental Tax Estimator tool and recommends contacting the Assessor's Office directly.

Example Calculation
$300,000 Home$3,223/year
Assessed Value:$300,000
Less Homeowners' Exemption:-$7,000
Net Taxable × 1.1%:$3,223
Monthly (Escrow):$269
$600,000 Home$6,523/year
Assessed Value:$600,000
Less Homeowners' Exemption:-$7,000
Net Taxable × 1.1%:$6,523
Monthly (Escrow):$544
$1,000,000 Home$10,923/year
Assessed Value:$1,000,000
Less Homeowners' Exemption:-$7,000
Net Taxable × 1.1%:$10,923
Monthly (Escrow):$910

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Property Details: Single-family home, assessed value $300,000

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less Homeowners' Exemption: -$7,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $293,000
  • Tax Rate: 1.15% (typical rate)
  • Annual Property Tax: $3,369.50
  • First Installment (due Nov 1): $1,684.75
  • Second Installment (due Feb 1): $1,684.75
How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Property Details: Single-family home, assessed value $600,000

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less Homeowners' Exemption: -$7,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $593,000
  • Tax Rate: 1.20% (slightly higher due to local bonds)
  • Annual Property Tax: $7,116.00
  • First Installment (due Nov 1): $3,558.00
  • Second Installment (due Feb 1): $3,558.00
Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
Tax Doc
Explanation of Tax Rate Changes Operative April 1, 2025cdtfa.ca.gov
02
Tax Doc
Real Property Transfer Tax and Measure ULA FAQfinance.lacity.gov
03
Tax Doc
2025 Property Tax Breakdown & City Sharecityofpalmdaleca.gov
04
State
Homeowners' Exemption - California State Board of Equalizationboe.ca.gov
05
Tax Doc
Property Tax Annotations - 505.0000boe.ca.gov
06
Tax Doc
Property Tax Relief for Seniorssdarcc.gov
07
Tax Doc
Annual Secured Property Tax Bill Insert – 2024-2025propertytax.lacounty.gov
08
County
Annual Secured Property Tax Bill - COUNTY OF LOS ANGELESpropertytax.lacounty.gov
09
KENNETH HAHN HALL OF ADMINISTRATIONttc.lacounty.gov
10
Tax Doc
New Property Owner - Treasurer and Tax Collectorttc.lacounty.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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