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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Riverside County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Riverside 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
1.020% - 1.100%
1st Due
Nov 1
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Riverside County operates under California's property tax system, which is governed by Proposition 13 and provides funding for essential local services including schools, fire protection, law enforcement, libraries, and infrastructure maintenance. Property taxes in Riverside County are administered by the County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder's office and collected by the County Tax Collector, with tax bills typically mailed by November 1st each year.

The county's property tax system includes a base tax rate of 1% of assessed value, plus additional voter-approved bonds and special assessments that vary by location within the county's Tax Rate Areas (TRAs). Each TRA represents a unique combination of cities, school districts, and special districts that determine the total tax rate for properties in that specific geographic area. Riverside County encompasses numerous incorporated cities including Riverside, Palm Springs, Murrieta, and Temecula, each with their own additional local taxes and assessments.

What makes Riverside County's system unique is its extensive use of Community Facilities Districts (CFDs) and Mello-Roos districts, particularly in newer developments, which can significantly impact total property tax obligations. The county also processes a high volume of supplemental tax bills due to active real estate markets and ongoing development, making it essential for property owners to understand how change of ownership and new construction affect their tax liability.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

Tax ComponentRate RangeDescription
Base County Rate1.000%Constitutionally mandated base rate
School Districts0.015% - 0.035%Voter-approved school bonds
City Rates0.000% - 0.025%Municipal bonds and services
Special Districts0.005% - 0.040%Fire, water, parks, libraries
Community Facilities Districts (CFDs)$0 - $6,365.80/acreMello-Roos special taxes
Total Effective Rate1.020% - 1.100%Plus CFD assessments

Property tax rates in Riverside County are determined through a combination of state constitutional requirements and local voter-approved measures. The base rate of 1% is established by Proposition 13, while additional rates come from general obligation bonds approved by two-thirds of voters for schools, infrastructure, and public safety. Each property's total rate depends on its location within one of the county's Tax Rate Areas (TRAs), which are mapped annually by the California Board of Equalization.

Special assessments and CFD taxes can add substantial amounts to the base property tax bill. For example, properties in certain CFD areas may pay up to $6,365.80 per acre in special taxes for fiscal year 2024-2025, with actual rates typically running at about 57% of the maximum authorized amount. These special taxes fund specific infrastructure, services, or facilities within defined geographic boundaries and are collected along with regular property taxes.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

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

First Installment
Nov 1
Delinquent after Dec 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 taxes are additional property tax bills issued when there's a change in ownership or completion of new construction that increases a property's assessed value mid-year. Under California's Proposition 13, these events trigger immediate reassessment to current market value, creating a supplemental tax obligation for the difference between the old and new assessed values.

When Supplemental Taxes Are Assessed:

  • Sale or transfer of property ownership
  • Completion of new construction, additions, or major improvements
  • Change in ownership of legal entities owning property
  • Removal of exemptions (such as homeowner's exemption when converting to rental)

Supplemental tax bills are calculated by determining the difference between the previous assessed value and the new assessed value, then applying the current tax rate to that difference. The assessment is prorated for the remaining months in the fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). Property owners typically receive two supplemental bills: one for the remainder of the current fiscal year and another for the following fiscal year.

Common Scenarios: If you purchase a $500,000 home in January that was previously assessed at $300,000, you'll owe supplemental taxes on the $200,000 difference for the remaining six months of the fiscal year. With a 1.05% tax rate, this would result in approximately $1,050 in supplemental taxes ($200,000 × 1.05% × 6/12 months). The timing of when supplemental bills are issued can vary, but they're typically sent within several months after the triggering event is recorded.

Example Calculation
$300,000 Home$2,989/year
Assessed Value:$300,000
Less Homeowners' Exemption:-$7,000
Net Taxable × 1.02%:$2,989
Monthly (Escrow):$249
$600,000 Home$6,049/year
Assessed Value:$600,000
Less Homeowners' Exemption:-$7,000
Net Taxable × 1.02%:$6,049
Monthly (Escrow):$504
$1,000,000 Home$10,129/year
Assessed Value:$1,000,000
Less Homeowners' Exemption:-$7,000
Net Taxable × 1.02%:$10,129
Monthly (Escrow):$844

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Property Details: Single-family home, assessed value $300,000, located in TRA with 1.035% total rate

  • Base tax (1.000%): $300,000 × 0.01000 = $3,000.00
  • Additional local taxes (0.035%): $300,000 × 0.00035 = $105.00
  • Gross annual tax: $3,105.00
  • Less: Homeowner's exemption: $7,000 × 1.035% = -$72.45
  • Net annual tax: $3,032.55
  • First installment (due Dec 10): $1,516.28
  • Second installment (due Apr 10): $1,516.27
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, located in TRA with 1.048% total rate

  • Base tax (1.000%): $600,000 × 0.01000 = $6,000.00
  • Additional local taxes (0.048%): $600,000 × 0.00048 = $288.00
  • Gross annual tax: $6,288.00
  • Less: Homeowner's exemption: $7,000 × 1.048% = -$73.36
  • Net annual tax: $6,214.64
  • First installment (due Dec 10): $3,107.32
  • Second installment (due Apr 10): $3,107.32
Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 ADMINISTRATION REPORTspecialdistricts.sbcounty.gov
02
Tax Doc
Explanation of Tax Rate Changes - CDTFAcdtfa.ca.gov
03
FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 ADMINISTRATION REPORTspecialdistricts.sbcounty.gov
04
County
Riverside County 2025 - BOE Tax Rate Area Maps - CA.govboe.ca.gov
05
Tax Doc
Taxes | Murrieta, CAmurrietaca.gov
06
State
California Property Tax: An Overviewboe.ca.gov
07
Tax Doc
IRS announces tax relief for taxpayers impacted by ...irs.gov
08
State
Governor Newsom extends state property tax deadlines for LA ...gov.ca.gov
09
Tax Doc
Property Tax Function Important Datestaxes.ca.gov
10
Tax Doc
Secured Property Taxes Frequently Asked Questionsttc.lacounty.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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