Almost every homeowner has to deal with property taxes. But with rates that can change based on location and market fluctuations, understanding property taxes in your area can get confusing!

To help with that, home and

car insurance

expert

Jerry

created this useful guide to property taxes in Riverside County. We’ll go over everything you need to know about property taxes, including how they work and when to pay in one of the most populated counties in California.

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Property tax 101

If you’re a new homeowner, here’s what you need to know about property taxes:

Property taxes are collected by the local government and used to pay for law enforcement, education, fire safety, libraries, and other community services or public works.

Most property taxes apply to real property, which refers to a piece of land and everything on that land.

A tax assessor determines your property tax rate based on market values and the local tax rate.

Property taxes aren’t set in stone—they often change based on market conditions and your area’s local budget.

Most importantly, property taxes are how the local government funds a community.

MORE: Is car insurance tax deductible?

What is the property tax rate in Riverside County?

Residents of Riverside County pay an average tax rate of 0.8% of assessed home value, which is slightly higher than the state average of 0.74%. Based on that rate, you can expect to pay about $2,618 a year in property taxes if you own a home in Riverside County.

For more information on property taxes in Riverside County, visit the

County Treasurer’s website

How property taxes work in Riverside County

The first step in getting your property tax rate is for the

Riverside County Assessor

to decide what your property is worth based on the market value of your home or property when you bought it. In general, this value may increase up to 2% per year without being reassessed—but if you either sell the property or complete any new construction on it, the Assessor will need to look at it again.

Once the Assessor determines the value of your property, the

Riverside County Auditor-Controller

applies any relevant tax rates. These usually include the general tax levy, special taxes voted on in local elections, as well as any city or district taxes.

Finally, the Auditor-Controller combines the tax rates with the value determined by the Assessor to get your total tax amount. The

Riverside County Tax Collector

prepares and distributes the tax bill—and eventually collects your money.

What do Riverside County property taxes pay for?

The money collected from property taxes pays for a number of important community services that improve the health and welfare of county residents. These include public education, law enforcement, libraries, museums, and more.

You can see a detailed breakdown of the annual budget and revenues on the

Riverside County website

MORE: How to deduct a car accident from your taxes

How to pay property taxes in Riverside County

You are required to pay your Riverside County property taxes on April 10 and December 10 each year. If either of those dates land on a weekend or holiday, your taxes will be due on the next business day.

There are

several ways

that Riverside County homeowners can pay their property taxes. You can pay online, by wire, by mail, by phone, in person, or through your title company. Here’s how it works:

Online: You can use a credit card, debit card, or eCheck to pay through Riverside County’s

online portal

By wire: You can get

wire instructions

by emailing ttcwirepayments@rivco.org and initiating a payment through your bank or credit union.

By mail: Make your check payable to Riverside County Treasurer and mail it to P.O. Box 12005, Riverside, CA 92502-2205.

By phone: Call (951) 955-3900 to pay over the phone with a credit or debit card.

In person: Place a personal check, cashier’s check, or money order in an envelope and drop it into the payment slot at any

public service location

Through your title company: You can request a user ID and a pin for

access to an online payment portal

that will allow you to make payments through your title company.

MORE: California car insurance laws—all you need to know

How to save money on homeowners and car insurance in California

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FAQs

When are property taxes due in Riverside County?

You’ll pay your Riverside County property taxes on April 10 and December 10 each year.

How do I get my California property tax statement?

You will receive your property tax bill in the mail before your first payment is due. If you don’t receive your bill in the mail, you can view your bill online or request a new bill by calling (951) 955-3900.

Are property taxes high in Riverside County?

Riverside County homeowners pay around $2,618 a year in property taxes, which is slightly above average for the state of California.

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