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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Sacramento County
Property Tax Guide

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

9 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
1.5% effective rate (1% base + additional assessments)
1st Due
Nov 1
2nd Due
Feb 1
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Sacramento County's property tax system operates under California's Proposition 13 framework, which caps the base tax rate at 1% of assessed value with annual assessment increases limited to 2%. Property taxes in Sacramento County fund essential local services including schools, fire protection, law enforcement, libraries, and county operations. The county serves as the collection point for multiple taxing entities including school districts, cities, special districts, and various voter-approved bonds.

The effective property tax rate in Sacramento County is approximately 1.5%, which includes the base 1% rate plus additional assessments for school bonds, infrastructure improvements, and special districts. This rate can vary by location within the county depending on local assessments and Mello-Roos Community Facilities Districts (CFDs). Property owners may qualify for the Homeowners' Exemption, which reduces assessed value by $7,000, resulting in annual savings of approximately $70-$80.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
Base County Tax1.000%Proposition 13 base rate for county operations, schools, and basic services
School District Bonds~0.300%Voter-approved bonds for school construction and improvements
City/Municipal Bonds~0.100%Local infrastructure and municipal improvement bonds
Special Districts~0.080%Fire districts, library districts, parks and recreation
Mello-Roos CFDs~0.020%Community facilities districts for infrastructure (varies by location)
Total Effective Rate~1.500%Combined rate applied to assessed value

Note: Rates vary by specific location within Sacramento County based on local districts and voter-approved assessments.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

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

First Installment
Nov 1
Delinquent after Dec 10
Second Installment
Feb 1
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 taxes are triggered by two main events: change in ownership or completion of new construction. When property transfers to a new owner, the county reassesses the property at current market value, often resulting in a significant increase from the Proposition 13-protected assessed value. The supplemental tax represents the difference between the old and new assessed values for the remaining portion of the tax year.

For example, if you purchase a home in September that was previously assessed at $400,000 but sells for $650,000, you'll receive a supplemental tax bill for the $250,000 difference in assessed value, prorated for October through June (9 months). At a 1.5% tax rate, this would result in a supplemental bill of approximately $2,812 ($250,000 × 0.015 × 9/12 months). Supplemental bills are mailed separately from regular tax bills and have their own payment deadlines.

Example Calculation

$300,000 Home:

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less Homeowners' Exemption: -$7,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $293,000
  • Tax Rate: 1.5%
  • Annual Property Tax: $4,395
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $366

$600,000 Home:

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less Homeowners' Exemption: -$7,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $593,000
  • Tax Rate: 1.5%
  • Annual Property Tax: $8,895
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $741

$1,000,000 Home:

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less Homeowners' Exemption: -$7,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $993,000
  • Tax Rate: 1.5%
  • Annual Property Tax: $14,895
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $1,241

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders require property tax payments to be held in escrow, collecting monthly payments along with your mortgage payment and paying taxes on your behalf. Lenders typically collect 1/12 of your annual property tax each month, plus additional funds to maintain a cushion. Sacramento County taxes are due in two installments: November 1st and February 1st, with delinquency dates of December 10th and April 10th respectively.

You can verify your tax payments and view payment history through Sacramento County's online portal at https://dtac.saccounty.gov/. If you pay taxes through escrow, ensure your lender has current information and verify payments are made on time. Property owners can also choose to pay taxes directly rather than through escrow, but must ensure timely payment to avoid penalties and potential tax liens.

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

Q: When are property taxes due in Sacramento County? A: Property taxes are due November 1st (first installment) and February 1st (second installment), with delinquency dates of December 10th and April 10th respectively.

Q: How do I apply for the Homeowners' Exemption? A: File Form BOE-266 with the Sacramento County Assessor's Office by February 15th. This must be done only once for your primary residence and saves approximately $70-$80 annually.

Q: What happens if I pay my property taxes late? A: A 10% penalty is added immediately after the delinquency date, plus 1.5% interest per month. After five years of delinquency, the property may be sold at a tax sale.

Q: How can I appeal my property assessment? A: File an assessment appeal with the Sacramento County Assessment Appeals Board between July 2nd and September 15th. Visit https://assessor.saccounty.net/ for forms and procedures.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online? A: Yes, online payments are accepted through the county's website. Credit card payments incur a convenience fee, while e-check payments from bank accounts are typically free.

Q: How is my property's assessed value determined? A: New purchases are assessed at sale price. Existing properties increase by maximum 2% annually under Proposition 13, unless improvements are made or ownership changes occur.

Q: What if I disagree with a supplemental tax bill? A: You can appeal supplemental assessments within 60 days of receiving the bill. Contact the Sacramento County Assessor's Office for the appeal process.

Q: Are there property tax exemptions for seniors or veterans? A: California offers various exemptions including disabled veterans exemptions and senior citizen property tax postponement programs. Contact the Assessor's Office for eligibility requirements and applications.

Verified Sources

Backed by 9 Official Government Sources

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

01
Tax Doc
Unsecured Property Taxes Due Sept. 2, 2025saccounty.gov
02
County
Annual Report - Assessor - Sacramento Countyassessor.saccounty.gov
03
County
Assessor - Sacramento Countyassessor.saccounty.gov
04
County
Homeowners' Exemption - Assessor - Sacramento Countyassessor.saccounty.gov
05
County
Exemptions - Assessor - Sacramento Countyassessor.saccounty.gov
06
County
02 2025 subscriber - Assessor - Sacramento Countyassessor.saccounty.gov
07
County
Supplemental Assessments - Assessor - Sacramento Countyassessor.saccounty.gov
08
County
Supplemental and Addenda Taxes - finance.saccounty.netfinance.saccounty.gov
09
County
Tax Bill Information - finance.saccounty.net - Sacramento Countyfinance.saccounty.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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