As a homeowner, you probably already understand the basic idea of property tax: you pay your county, city, or state, and they provide public services or amenities. But do you know how your property tax rate is set? Or exactly where that money goes?

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Property tax 101

If you’re new to property tax, here’s what you need to know:

Property taxes are paid by a person or other legal entity on an owned property

The local government assigns them to pay for community services and amenities (think infrastructure construction and repair and public parks)

Most property taxes apply to real property like land, buildings, and homes

A local tax assessor assigns rates based on your home’s assessed value and the local tax rate

Property taxes change often based on the local housing marketing and inflation, among other things

Basically, local governments use property taxes to provide residents with certain services, including police, fire services, and public libraries.

MORE: What are the major types of homeowners insurance?

What is the property tax rate in Sacramento County?

Sacramento County’s average tax rate is .68% of assessed home values—slightly less than the state average of .74%. Based on that rate, the average Sacramento County tax bill is about $2,204 a year.

Citizens pay roughly 2.91% of their yearly income on property tax in Sacramento County.

How Sacramento County property taxes are determined

Sacramento County is ranked 359th out of 3,143 counties nationally, making it one of the highest median property taxes in the country.

The property tax rates in Sacramento County are based on a home’s fair market value, as determined by the

County's Assessor

. Each property is assessed every year and any improvements or renovations may raise your

assessed value

(and, therefore, your tax rate).

As a property owner, if you feel that your home is unfairly assessed, you may request an

informal review

from July to December. An appraiser will decide, and the tax assessor’s office will notify you of the results.

What do Sacramento County property taxes pay for?

Property taxes are used by local jurisdictions, such as Sacramento County, cities, and special districts, to provide amenities and community services, including:

Law enforcement

Fire protection

Public health

Emergency response

School services

Public libraries

Roads and highways

Regional sewer system

Public housing

You can view the Assessment Roll (the official list of all taxable property within the County) and a more detailed breakdown on the

Sacramento County Tax Assessor

’s website.

MORE: Car insurance companies in California

How to pay property taxes in Sacramento County

Sacramento County property taxes must be paid by December 10 and April 10 to avoid penalties. If either of those dates falls on a weekend or holiday, you have until the next business day to pay. Taxes cover the county’s fiscal year, which begins on July 1 and ends on June 30 of the following year.

Property owners in Sacramento County have several convenient options for paying, including:

Pay online: Current year and prior year unpaid tax bills can be paid online via

ePropTax

using a credit card or e-check.

Pay by mail: Check, money order, or cashier’s check may be mailed to Sacramento County Tax Collector, P.O. Box 508, Sacramento, CA 95812. Make checks payable to the Sacramento County Tax Collector.

Pay by phone: Pay via secured telephone line seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call (844) 430-2835 and enter the 14 digit parcel number at the top left-hand corner of your tax bill when the automated system picks up.

Pay via bill pay: If your bank offers an automated bill pay service, a paper check will be printed and mailed to the tax collector. Make sure to enter your bill number and the installment being paid into the online account number field for identification purposes.

Pay in person: You can pay your tax bill via credit card, debit card, or cash at the office.

Taxes not paid by the due date are subject to a 10% fine plus a $15 fee.

MORE: Best road trips from Sacramento

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When are property taxes due in Sacramento County?

Property taxes must be paid by December 10 and April 10 to avoid penalties.

How do I get my California property tax statement?

Property owners may request a copy of the current year property tax bill by calling the Tax Collector’s Office between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays at (916) 874-6622, or by going in person to the public counter at 700 H Street, Room 1710, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Are property taxes high in Sacramento County?

At .68%, Sacramento County property taxes are well below the national average of 1.1% and the state average of .74%.

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