Kern County Property Tax
The Kern County property tax rate is 0.8% and residents pay an average of $1,746 each year in property taxes.
Written by Kathryn Mae Kurlychek
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
With an average tax rate of 0.8% Kern County, California, collects roughly $1,746 per resident each year in property taxes.
Whether you live along the sunny Pacific coast or nestled in the Sierra Nevadas,
California
homeowners all have at least one thing in common: paying property taxes. Property taxes are an important source of revenue for local governments. But with tax rates that vary from place to place and fluctuate based on market conditions, it can be difficult to know exactly what they are—or how to pay them.
That’s why insurance comparison and broker app
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has compiled a list of everything you need to know about paying property taxes in your area. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of property taxes in the Golden State, from what they are to how you pay in Kern County. RECOMMENDED
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Property tax 101
If you’re not sure what property taxes are or you’ve never had to pay them before, here are the basics:
- Property taxes are levied by your local government to pay for public works and municipal projects (think law enforcement, education, etc.)
- Most property taxes apply to real property like land, buildings, and homes (in some counties, your vehicle may also be subject to a property tax)
- Your property taxes are determined by a local tax assessor, who assigns rates based on market values and the local tax rate—both of which are prone to fluctuation in response to market conditions and local budgets
Essentially, property taxes are how local governments collect funding from residents for projects that contribute to the well-being of a community.
MORE: Is car insurance tax deductible?
What is the property tax rate in Kern County?
In Kern County, the average property tax rate is 0.8%, making property taxes slightly higher than the state average.
This means that residents can expect to pay about $1,746 annually in property taxes.
Of course, exact tax rates vary based on factors like assessed property value.
How Kern County property taxes are determined
Property taxes are generally determined by the fair market value of a property and the local tax rate.
In Kern County, property tax bills are calculated by multiplying the net assessed value of your property by the local tax rate, plus any special assessments (add-ons—like garbage collection or sewage).
The assessed value of your property is determined by your local tax assessor. If you believe your property has been assessed at an unfair or too-high value, you can contact your
Assessor
to request a review of your property’s value.Additionally, Kern County offers many exclusions and exemptions for certain qualifying homeowners, such as homeowners’ exemptions, disabled veterans’ exemptions, and solar energy exclusions. To see if you qualify for an exclusion or exemption, you can visit the
Kern County Assessor-Recorder’s website
. What do Kern County property taxes pay for?
Your property taxes help fund many local services in Kern County, most notably being:
- Schools
- County fire departments
- Law enforcement
- Special districts
- Government and county projects
For a more detailed breakdown of what your property taxes fund, you can visit the
Kern County Auditor’s website
. MORE: How to deduct a car accident from your taxes
How to pay property taxes in Kern County
Property taxes in Kern County are due semi-annually on November 1st and February 1st of each year.
Taxes that are unpaid by December 10th and April 10th (respectively) will become delinquent, meaning you’ll be subject to penalty charges.
When it comes to paying their property taxes, residents have a couple of options:
- Pay online: You can pay your property taxes online with a valid debit or credit card using Kern County’sTreasurer-Tax Collector’s secured website. Note that a convenience fee will be charged on all online payments.
- Pay by mail: To pay your property taxes by mail, send a check to KCTTC, Attn: Payment Center, P.O. Box 541004 Los Angeles, CA 90054-1004. Be sure to include the payment stub(s) with your check, and be mindful of the postmark date on your letter, as it will determine the date of your payment.
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When are property taxes due in Kern County?
Property taxes in Kern County are due on November 1st and February 1st of each year. Taxes that are unpaid by December 10th and April 10th may incur penalty fees.
How do I get my Kern property tax statement?
Property tax statements will be mailed to your address. If you have not received your statement by November 1st, you should contact your local Treasurer.
Are property taxes high in Kern County?
In Kern County, the average property tax rate is 0.8%, making property taxes slightly higher than the state average.
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