Los Angeles County Property Tax

The Los Angeles County property tax rate is 0.59% which is about half of the national average.
Written by Patrick Price
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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With an average tax rate of 0.59%, Los Angeles County residents pay an average of $2,989 a year in property taxes
As a homeowner, you will be required to pay a portion of your home’s value in property taxes each year. The exact percentage you’re required to pay will vary depending on your location and the value of your home. Property tax rates can also fluctuate a lot so keeping track of your financial obligation can be difficult.  
To help you make sense of things, the
insurance
super-app
Jerry
has put together this guide on everything you’ll need to know about property tax as a homeowner in Los Angeles County,
California
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Property tax 101

For new homeowners, the details of property tax can be a bit bewildering. To help, here are a few key concepts you’ll need to be familiar with: 
  • Your local government will collect property taxes from you each year to help pay for public works and community services 
  • Property taxes are collected for real property, such as buildings, land, and homes. 
  • A local tax assessor will determine your tax obligation based on your local tax rate and the fair market value of your home. 
  • Property taxes change frequently in response to fluctuations in the local government’s budget and current market conditions.
In short, property taxes are how your local government funds essential infrastructure such as law enforcement and education. Collecting taxes from property owners ensures that residents with a vested interest in the community financially contribute to its upkeep and improvement. 

What is the property tax rate in Los Angeles County?

Los Angeles County’s average tax rate is 0.59% of assessed home values. This is well below the California state average of 0.74% and barely above half of what homeowners pay on average nationwide (which is 1.1%). Los Angeles homeowners can expect to pay an average of $2,989 per year in property taxes.

How Los Angeles County property taxes are determined

In California, your property taxes are calculated by multiplying your home’s assessed value by the effective tax rate in your area. 
California calculates your home’s assessed value differently than most states. Rather than have an assessor individually evaluate each property, the state bases your assessed value on the original purchase price of your home. When you first buy a house, the assessed value is automatically equal to what you paid for the house. Each year after that, the assessed value will increase along with inflation. 
As with most counties, the effective tax rate or “millage rate” in Los Angeles County is determined based on the proposed budgets for all relevant local government bodies. The current market conditions are also taken into account when determining the millage rate. Once the rate has been set, you can multiply it by your assessed value to find out what your tax obligation will be. 

What do Los Angeles County property taxes pay for? 

Once collected, your property taxes will be used to fund certain essential public expenses as determined by the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors. These expenses will typically include:
  • Local law enforcement agencies
  • Public transportation, roads, and highways
  • Public education, libraries, and museums 
  • Public health and safety
  • Sewer maintenance and upkeep
This is not an exhaustive list, just an overview. If you would like an in-depth analysis of all public spending, the Los Angeles County
Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
is available to the public. 

How to pay property taxes in Los Angeles County 

Los Angeles property taxes are paid in two installments that are due on November 1st and February 1st. If these payments are not received by December 10th and April 10th respectively, a 10% fee will be charged. 
As a property owner in Los Angeles County, you have several options of how you want to
pay your property taxes
. You can pay online, by mail, in person, or over the phone. Here’s how to make your payment: 
  • Online: You can
    pay online
    using an eCheck or credit/debit card. 
  • By mail: You can mail a check made out to the Los Angeles County Tax Collector. Address the envelope to LOS ANGELES COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR, P.O. BOX 54018, LOS ANGELES, CA 90054-0018, INDEPENDENT DELIVERY SERVICE 
NOTE: The Los Angeles County Tax Collector strongly recommends visiting their webpage on
how to avoid penalties
. When mailing in your payment, there are specific procedures you’ll need to follow to avoid fines. 
  • In-person: You can pay in person at 225 North Hill Street, First Floor Lobby, Los Angeles. The office is open Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Accepted forms of payment include cash, checks, money orders, cashier’s checks, and credit/debit cards.
  • Over the phone: You can pay your taxes over the phone using the toll-free number 1-888-473-0835. Phone payments need to be made using a credit/debit card. 

How to save money on homeowners and car insurance in California

After paying your property taxes, you’re probably looking for ways to cut back on your home-related expenses. Well, you’re in luck!
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FAQs

Los Angeles property taxes are due on November 1st and February 1st.
LA County property tax statements are mailed out in early October.
Property taxes in LA County are dramatically lower than in most other counties. The average tax rate is 0.59% which is only about half the national average of 1.1%. In terms of real dollar amounts, LA County homeowners pay an average of $2,989 which is well below the national average of $3,719.
Save an average of 18% by bundling your home and auto insurance
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