CHAPTER 2. Collection Generally [2601. - 2636.]

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC 2.
in effect

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2601. Section 2601.

(a) On or before the fourth Monday in September, the auditor shall deliver the secured roll to the tax collector, with an affixed affidavit, subscribed by him, as follows: “I, ____, Auditor of ____ County, swear that I received the assessment roll from the assessor, with his affixed affidavit: that I have corrected it as required by the State Board of Equalization; and that I have reckoned the respective sums due as taxes and have added the columns of valuations and taxes, as required by law.” If the roll is a machine-prepared roll, the auditor shall deliver the assessment roll to the assessor and shall deliver the roll on which he has extended taxes to the tax collector, with an affixed affidavit, subscribed by him, as follows: “I, ____, Auditor of ____ County, swear that the attached roll is a reproduction of the roll prepared by the assessor and corrected by the State Board of Equalization; and that I have reckoned the respective sums due as taxes and have added the columns of valuations and taxes as required by law.” (b) If the roll is a machine-prepared roll, and the tax bills are, with the consent of the tax collector and the approval of the board of supervisors, also machine-prepared by the auditor, the auditor shall, on or before the fourth Monday in September, deliver the assessment roll to the assessor, and shall, on or before October 16, deliver the roll on which he has extended taxes to the tax collector, with an affixed affidavit, subscribed by him, as follows: “I, ____, Auditor of ____ County, swear that the attached roll is a reproduction of the roll prepared by the assessor and corrected by the State Board of Equalization; and that I have reckoned the respective sums due as taxes and have added the columns of valuations and taxes as required by law.” (c) If the extended roll is retained in electronic data-processing equipment and no physical document is prepared and if the tax bills are, with the consent of the tax collector and the approval of the board of supervisors, machine prepared, the auditor shall, on or before the fourth Monday in September, deliver the assessment roll to the assessor, and shall, on or before October 16, deliver the completed tax bills to the tax collector with an affidavit, subscribed by him, as follows: “I, ____, Auditor of ____ County, swear that the tax bills herewith submitted to you are the result of extending the roll prepared by the assessor and corrected by the State Board of Equalization and that I have determined the respective sums due as taxes, in the total amount of $____, as required by law.”

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2603. Section 2603.

At the time the auditor delivers the local assessment roll to the tax collector, he shall charge the collector with the taxes extended thereon, together with the taxes extended on the board roll.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2604. Section 2604.

When property the taxes on which are to be collected by the tax collector is placed on the roll after it has been delivered to the tax collector, the auditor shall immediately compute and enter the tax and other charges and make the necessary changes in his account with the tax collector.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2605. Section 2605.

The following taxes on the secured roll are due and payable November 1: (a) All taxes on personal property. (b) Half the taxes on real property, and if the amount is not evenly divisible by two, the odd cent is also due and payable unless the roll shows the odd cent as part of the second installment.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2607. Section 2607.

The entire tax on real property may be paid when the first installment is due and payable or at any time thereafter until the properties on the current roll become tax defaulted. The second installment may be paid separately only if the first installment has been paid. The tax collector shall accept payment of current year taxes even though prior year delinquencies on the real property may exist. The acceptance of that payment shall not affect the validity of any sale in satisfaction of a lien for defaulted taxes.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2607.1. Section 2607.1.

Upon authorization of the board of supervisors, the tax collector shall accept payment of the second installment of the tax on real property at a discounted amount, as established annually by the board, if payment is made on or before the date the first installment is due.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2609. Section 2609.

On or before November 1 of each year, the tax collector shall publish a notice specifying: (a) The dates when taxes on the secured roll will be due. (b) The times when these taxes will be delinquent. (c) The penalties and costs for delinquency. (d) That all taxes may be paid when the first installment is due. (e) The times and places at which payment of taxes may be made.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2610. Section 2610.

The notice shall be published once a week for two weeks in a newspaper, if there is one published in the county, or, if none, by posting it in three public places in each township.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2610.5. Section 2610.5.

Annually, on or before November 1, the tax collector shall mail or electronically transmit a county tax bill or a copy thereof for every property on the secured roll. This requirement need not be met where no taxes are due. Failure to receive a tax bill shall not relieve the lien of taxes, nor shall it prevent the imposition of penalties imposed by this code. However, the penalty imposed for delinquent taxes as provided by any section of this code shall be canceled if the assessee or fee owner demonstrates to the tax collector that delinquency is due to the tax collector’s failure to mail or electronically transmit the tax bill to the address provided on the tax roll or electronic address provided and authorized by the taxpayer to the tax collector. Penalties imposed may be canceled if the board of supervisors, upon recommendation of the tax collector, has authorized the tax collector to establish, and the tax collector has so established, specific procedures for the consideration of penalty cancellations. Those procedures may provide that penalties imposed may be canceled by resolution of the county board of supervisors upon the recommendation of the tax collector if the assessees or fee owners demonstrate to the tax collector that the delinquency is due to the county’s failure to send a notice of taxes to the owner of property acquired after the lien date on the secured roll, provided payment of the amount of taxes due, minus any penalties and costs, is made no later than June 30 of the fiscal year in which the property owner is named as the assessee for taxes coming due. With respect to a late, amended, or corrected tax bill, the penalties imposed for delinquent taxes shall be canceled if the tax amount is paid within 30 days following the date that bill is mailed or electronically transmitted. Under no circumstance shall a taxpayer have fewer than 30 days to pay without penalty.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2610.6. Section 2610.6.

When the tax collector sends a tax bill to any person respecting property which has been assessed to another and who has the power, pursuant to written or oral authorization, to pay the taxes on behalf of another, the tax collector shall send to the assessee an information copy of the tax bill, except, that the copy shall state plainly that the copy is not a bill and that the original bill has been sent to another person for payment.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2610.8. Section 2610.8.

(a) A disclosure shall be printed on each tax bill for properties that have been purchased, newly constructed, or changed in ownership in the year preceding the tax bill that includes all of the following information: (1) A brief summary of the availability of the property tax relief under Section 69.6. (2) A brief summary of deferment procedures under Section 2636.1. (b) (1) This section shall apply to counties with a population of over 4,000,000, as determined by the 2020 federal census. (2) This section shall not apply to a county with a population of 4,000,000 or less, as determined by the 2020 federal census, unless the county’s board of supervisors, after consultation with the county assessor, county auditor, county treasurer, and county tax collector, pass a resolution implementing the requirements of this section.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2611. Section 2611.

A notice shall be printed on all tax bills specifying that if taxes are unpaid, it will be necessary as provided by law to pay: (a) Delinquency penalties. (b) Costs. (c) Redemption penalties. (d) Redemption fee.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2611.1. Section 2611.1.

Any county department, officer, or employee charged by law with the collection of any county tax assessment, penalty or cost, license fees or money owing the county for any reason, that is due and payable, may file a verified application with the board of supervisors for a discharge from accountability for the collection of the tax assessment, penalty or cost, license fees or money owing the county for any reason in accordance with Sections 25257, 25258, 25259, and 25259.5 of the Government Code.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2611.2. Section 2611.2.

The application for a discharge of accountability shall include: (a) A statement of the nature of the amount owing. (b) The names of the assessees or persons liable and the amount owed by each. (c) The estimated cost of collection. (d) Any other fact warranting the discharge, except where the board of supervisors determines that the circumstances do not warrant the furnishing of detailed information.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2611.3. Section 2611.3.

The board of supervisors may make an order discharging the department, officer, or employee, from further accountability and direct the county auditor to adjust any charge against said department, officer, or employee, in a like amount.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2611.4. Section 2611.4.

Any county department, officer or employee may refrain from collecting any tax, assessment, penalty or cost, license fees or money owing to the county where the amount to be collected is twenty dollars ($20) or less. Nothing in this section shall be construed as releasing any person from the payment of any tax, assessment, penalty or cost, license fee or any other money which is due and owing to the county.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2611.5. Section 2611.5.

(a) At the option of a county and when authorized by resolution of the board of supervisors pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 29370) of Chapter 2 of Division 3 of Title 3 of the Government Code, a cash difference fund may be used to increase the amount tendered to the county for the payment of any tax, assessments, penalty, cost, or interest that is due and owing the county, when a difference of twenty dollars ($20) or less exists. A record of each use of the fund shall be maintained, containing sufficient information to identify the name of the person whose account was credited and listing the amount of the difference. (b) Notwithstanding any provision of law, including Sections 29372, 29373, 29374, and 29375 of the Government Code, the cash difference fund may be expended, maintained, or replenished by accounting entries into a cash difference account and an overage account maintained in the county automated accounting system. All transfers between the fund and the accounts may be made and retained in electronic data processing equipment and no written report pursuant to Section 29373 of the Government Code, warrant, special warrant, or check warrant need be prepared by the auditor or treasurer. If approved pursuant to Section 29380.1 of the Government Code, replenishment of the cash difference account may be accomplished by the county auditor by a journal entry or electronic funds transfer from the county’s general fund. (c) When an amount paid to the county on any tax, assessment, penalty, cost, and interest exceed the amount due the county and the excess does not exceed twenty dollars ($20), the excess amount may be deposited into the overage account. If the excess amount is not so deposited, it shall be refunded to the person making the payment.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2611.6. Section 2611.6.

The following information shall be included in each county tax bill, whether mailed or electronically transmitted, or in a separate statement accompanying the bill: (a) The full value of locally assessed property, including assessments made for irrigation district purposes in accordance with Section 26625.1 of the Water Code. (b) The tax rate required by Article XIII A of the California Constitution. (c) The rate or dollar amount of taxes levied in excess of the 1-percent limitation to pay for voter-approved indebtedness incurred before July 1, 1978, or bonded indebtedness for the acquisition or improvement of real property approved by two-thirds of the voters on or after June 4, 1986. (d) The amount of any special taxes and special assessments levied. (e) The amount of any tax rate reduction pursuant to Section 96.8, with the notation: “Tax reduction by (name of jurisdiction).” (f) The amount of any exemptions. Exemptions reimbursable by the state shall be shown separately. (g) The total taxes due and payable on the property covered by the bill. (h) Instructions on tendering payment, including the name and mailing address of the tax collector. (i) The billing of any special purpose parcel tax as required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 53087.4 of the Government Code, or any successor to that paragraph. (j) Information specifying all of the following: (1) That if the taxpayer disagrees with the assessed value as shown on the tax bill, the taxpayer has the right to an informal assessment review by contacting the assessor’s office. (2) That if the taxpayer and the assessor are unable to agree on a proper assessed value pursuant to an informal assessment review, the taxpayer has the right to file an application for reduction in assessment for the following year with the county board of equalization or the assessment appeals board, as applicable, and the time period during which the application will be accepted. (3) The address of the clerk of the county board of equalization or the assessment appeals board, as applicable, at which forms for an application for reduction in assessment may be obtained. (4) That if an informal or formal assessment review is requested, relief from penalties shall apply only to the difference between the county assessor’s final determination of value and the value on the assessment roll for the fiscal year covered. (k) (1) If a school district in that county provides for an exemption for a qualified special tax pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 50079 of the Government Code and contracts or enters into an agreement with the county to collect the qualified special tax within the district, information indicating that school district parcel tax exemption information is available on the tax collector’s Internet Web site, including the URL of the tax collector’s Internet Web site homepage. (2) This subdivision shall only apply when the school district provides the information to the tax collector required by subdivision (e) of Section 50079 of the Government Code at least 90 days prior to the mailing or electronic transmittal of the county tax bill for that fiscal year. The tax collector shall not include on the county tax bill any hyperlink to a location on a school district Internet Web site that is invalid. ( l ) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2020.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2611.7. Section 2611.7.

(a) Upon the written request of a taxpayer made no later than September 1, a tax collector who has adopted this section pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) shall, subject to subdivisions (b) and (c), issue a consolidated tax statement, for all of the properties entered on the secured roll with respect to which the requesting taxpayer is the assessee. An adopting tax collector shall annually print on the back of each property tax bill a written notice to each taxpayer of a taxpayer’s authority under this section to request a consolidated tax statement, and of those fees, requirements, conditions, and limitations specified in subdivisions (b) and (c). (b) Any request made pursuant to this section for a consolidated tax statement is subject to all of the following conditions: (1) The request shall specify the assessor’s parcel number of each property on the secured roll for which the requesting taxpayer is the assessee. (2) With respect to any single parcel, only one named assessee may request and receive a consolidated tax statement. (3) Any request that is timely made pursuant to this section for a consolidated tax statement is valid only for those property taxes levied for the first five fiscal years following the making of the request. (c) (1) The tax collector may charge a fee for each request for a consolidated tax statement made pursuant to this section. Any fee charged pursuant to this paragraph shall be set at an amount not greater than that amount that will allow the tax collector to recover his or her costs incurred in implementing this section. (2) A consolidated tax statement issued pursuant to a request made pursuant to this section is not a tax bill and does not supersede or take the place of any tax bill. (3) No tax collector shall incur any legal liability with respect to any consolidated tax statement provided by the tax collector pursuant to this section. (4) This section does not apply to a county unless the tax collector of that county has adopted this section pursuant to a written memorandum transmitted to the county board of supervisors and recorded with the county recorder.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2612. Section 2612.

On the tax bill for tax-defaulted property shall appear in writing the fact that prior year taxes are in default. The tax bill may contain language such as “prior year taxes delinquent,” “prior year taxes in default,” “unpaid prior year taxes jeopardize property,” or any other language which would indicate the fact that the property is in jeopardy as a result of delinquent prior year taxes.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2612.5. Section 2612.5.

The tax collector shall issue separate tax bills for tax-defaulted property and property which is not tax delinquent. Where tax-defaulted property and property which is not tax delinquent have been included or combined in one assessment, the tax collector may request the assessor to make a separate valuation of each such property, and the assessor shall within 10 days from and after the date of any such request make each such valuation and notify the auditor thereof.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2612.6. Section 2612.6.

The auditor shall enter the descriptions and the separate valuations on the roll in lieu of the original assessment, shall compute the taxes and penalties thereon and notify the tax collector thereof.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2613. Section 2613.

All taxes shall be paid at the tax collector’s office unless the board of supervisors, upon recommendation of the tax collector and on or before the day when payments may be made, orders that taxes be collected in any other or additional location, in addition to a location within the county.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2614.5. Section 2614.5.

The tax collector may, when approved by resolution of the board of supervisors of such county, adopt a procedure showing the fact and date of payment on machine-prepared lists.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2615. Section 2615.

Whenever taxes are paid in cash or whenever a receipt is requested at the time of payment by the person paying the tax, the tax collector shall give a receipt to the person making payment, specifying each of the following: (a) The amount paid. (b) The fiscal year and the installment of taxes to which the payment applies. (c) The description of the property. The receipt shall be issued without charge.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2615.5. Section 2615.5.

When the county sends a tax bill or copy thereof to any homeowner who received the homeowners’ exemption in the immediately preceding year, except where such person has transferred title in the property since the immediately preceding lien date, or to any person who has filed an exemption claim during the preceding assessment year, the tax bill or copy shall be accompanied by a notice concerning ineligibility for the homeowners’ exemption. The notice shall inform the taxpayer of the circumstances under which he becomes ineligible for the exemption, of the penalties which are applicable if he allows the exemption to continue when he is not eligible for the exemption, and of his duty to inform the assessor when he is no longer eligible for the exemption. Failure to receive the notice shall not excuse the taxpayer of the duty to inform the assessor of his ineligibility for the exemption.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2615.6. Section 2615.6.

(a) When the county sends to any person a tax bill, it shall be accompanied by a notice regarding property tax assistance and postponement for senior citizens under the Gonsalves-Deukmejian-Petris Senior Citizens Property Tax Assistance Law (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 20501) of Part 10.5 of Division 2) and the Senior Citizens and Disabled Citizens Property Tax Postponement Law (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 20581) of Part 10.5 of Division 2). The text of this notice shall be prepared by the Franchise Tax Board. (b) Subdivision (a) is inoperative for any lien date for which funding for the Gonsalves-Deukmejian-Petris Senior Citizens Property Tax Assistance Law (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 20501) of Part 10.5 of Division 2), and for the Senior Citizens and Disabled Citizens Property Tax Postponement Law (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 20581) of Part 10.5 of Division 2), is not provided by state law. If subdivision (a) has become inoperative under this subdivision, subdivision (a) shall become operative again commencing with the first lien date for which funding for these laws is provided by state law.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2616. Section 2616.

Not less than once every 12 months and on dates approved by the auditor, the tax collector shall account to the auditor for all moneys collected during the preceding reporting period. On the same day he or she shall file with the auditor a statement under oath, showing that all money collected by him or her has been paid as required by law. Not less than once every 12 months and on dates approved by the auditor, the tax collector shall file with the auditor a statement under oath, showing an itemized account of all his or her transactions and receipts since his or her last settlement. In counties using a mechanized management reporting system in reporting information for a uniform four-week period, the board of supervisors, by ordinance, may provide for the duties required by this section to be performed on a corresponding uniform four-week period.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2617. Section 2617.

All taxes due November 1, if unpaid, are delinquent at 5 p.m., or the close of business, whichever is later, on December 10, and thereafter a delinquent penalty of 10 percent attaches to them.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2618. Section 2618.

The second half of taxes on real property, if unpaid, is delinquent at 5 p.m., or the close of business, whichever is later, on April 10, and thereafter a delinquent penalty of 10 percent attaches to it.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2619. Section 2619.

If December 10 or April 10 falls on Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday, the time of delinquency is at 5 p.m., or the close of business, whichever is later, on the next business day. If the board of supervisors, by adoption of an ordinance or resolution, closes the county’s offices for business prior to the time of delinquency on the “next business day” or for that whole day, that day shall be considered a legal holiday for purposes of this section.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2621. Section 2621.

After the second installment of taxes on the secured roll is delinquent, the tax collector shall collect a cost of up to fifty-five dollars ($55), but no more than the actual cost, for preparing the delinquent tax records and giving notice of delinquency on each separate valuation on the secured roll of: (a) Real property, except possessory interests. (b) Possessory interests. (c) Personal property cross-secured to real property. The cost shall be collected even though the property appears on the roll due to a special assessment and no valuation of the property is given.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2623. Section 2623.

Prior to February 1st, the auditor shall: (a) Compute and enter the delinquent penalty against all taxes on the secured roll not marked paid. (b) Foot the penalties. (c) Charge the tax collector with the total penalties due on the secured roll. (d) Deliver the secured roll to the tax collector.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2624. Section 2624.

After the second half of taxes on real property is delinquent, the tax collector shall prepare a delinquent roll. In numerical or alphabetical order, the delinquent roll shall show all information on the secured roll relating to property the taxes on which are delinquent.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2626. Section 2626.

On or before June 1st, the auditor shall compare the delinquent roll, if one is prepared, with the secured roll. If satisfied the delinquent roll is correct, he shall: (a) Foot the unpaid taxes and penalties. (b) Credit the tax collector with the unpaid taxes and penalties on the secured roll. (c) Make a final settlement with him of all taxes and penalties charged against him on the secured roll. The tax collector shall deliver the treasurer’s receipt to the auditor, unless the treasurer is the collector, and shall immediately account for any deficiency. The secured roll shall remain in the tax collector’s office.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2627. Section 2627.

Within three days after this settlement, the auditor shall: (a) Compute and enter the penalties and costs on the delinquent roll. (b) Charge the tax collector with the amount due on the delinquent roll. (c) Deliver the delinquent roll duly certified, to the tax collector.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2628. Section 2628.

Annually, on or before August 10th, the tax collector shall make a collections report on the secured roll and, if one is prepared, the delinquent roll, and make it or them available to the auditor for purposes of audit.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2629. Section 2629.

The auditor shall then administer an oath to the tax collector, to be written and subscribed on the delinquent roll, that all property on the delinquent roll on which taxes have been paid has been credited with the payment on the delinquent roll.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2632. Section 2632.

If the tax collector refuses or neglects for five days to make payments or settlements as required in this division, he is liable for the full amount of taxes charged against him.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2633. Section 2633.

The district attorney shall bring suit against the tax collector and his sureties for this amount. The controller or the board of supervisors may require the district attorney to bring this suit if he neglects his duty. After the suit is commenced, no credit shall be made to the collector for taxes outstanding.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2634. Section 2634.

The roll or delinquent roll or a copy certified by the tax collector, showing unpaid taxes against any property, is prima facie evidence of the assessment, the property assessed, the delinquency, the amount of taxes due and unpaid, and that there has been compliance with all forms of law relating to assessment and levy of the taxes.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2635. Section 2635.

When the amount of taxes paid exceeds the amount due by more than twenty dollars ($20), the tax collector shall send notice of the overpayment to the taxpayer. The notice shall be mailed to the taxpayer’s last known address and shall state the amount of overpayment and that a refund claim may be filed pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 5096) of Part 9.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2635.5. Section 2635.5.

Notwithstanding any other law, the tax collector may apply any refund due a taxpayer, or the taxpayer’s agent, to any delinquent taxes due for the same property for which the same taxpayer, or his or her agent, is liable.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2636. Section 2636.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the case of a deficiency in the payment of taxes due and payable pursuant to this chapter, the tax collector, with the approval of the board of supervisors, may accept such partial payment from the taxpayer. Such partial payments are to be applied first to all penalties, interest and costs with the balance being applied to the taxes due. The difference between the amount paid by the taxpayer and the amount due shall be treated as a delinquent tax in the same manner as any other delinquent tax.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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