Property tax installments at closing in San Diego
Quick answer: San Diego County secured property tax comes in two installments. The first is due November 1 and is delinquent after December 10. The second is due February 1 and is delinquent after April 10. Miss a date and the County adds a 10% penalty (plus $10 on the second). If you close between November and April, ask escrow which installment is paid and who pays it.
Closing dates in San Diego run into the tax calendar more than buyers expect. I want you to know which bill is open on the day you sign so nothing goes delinquent in your name.
The County calendar
- July 1: the tax fiscal year starts. June 30: it ends.
- Late September: annual secured bills are mailed.
- November 1: first installment due. Delinquent after close of business December 10, with a 10% penalty.
- February 1: second installment due. Delinquent after close of business April 10, with a 10% penalty plus a $10 cost.
- If a delinquent date falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day.
The County says plainly that not receiving a bill does not stop a penalty. It is the owner's job to get the bill and pay it.
Why it matters on a purchase
The year runs July to June, so escrow splits the tax between buyer and seller by the closing date. If an installment is due or open around your closing, escrow sorts out whether it is paid through closing or whether you pay it after. Confirm that in writing with your escrow officer. Do not assume.
If you have an impound account, the servicer pays future installments for you. Your initial escrow deposit is sized around these dates. See the escrow impound cushion guide. If you do not impound, you pay the County yourself, and the next date on the calendar is yours.
The annual bill is not the only one. A purchase usually triggers a separate supplemental bill. See the supplemental property tax bill guide.
I map taxes into your payment and cash to close on a real file. Start at get pre-approved San Diego.
None of this changes loan size. The 2026 San Diego County 1-unit conforming limit is $1,104,000 per FHFA. Jumbo generally starts above that. VA full entitlement is not capped the same way. See loan limits. Company NMLS 2394495. Amir Nurani NMLS 197458. Call (619) 366-9494.
Frequently asked questions
The first installment is due November 1 and delinquent after December 10. The second is due February 1 and delinquent after April 10.
10% on a late first installment. 10% plus a $10 cost on a late second installment. Unpaid taxes after June 30 go into default with more charges.
It depends on your escrow instructions and proration. The tax year runs July 1 to June 30 and is split by closing date. Ask your escrow officer to confirm which installment is paid at closing.
If you have an impound account, the servicer pays the installments from it. If you waive impounds, you pay the County directly.
No. The supplemental bill is a separate bill tied to the reassessment after you buy. You can owe both.
Sources: San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector, Secured Property Taxes and Important Dates (sdttc.com). FHFA, Conforming Loan Limit Values for 2026.
Closing between November and April?
Send your target closing date and price. I will lay out taxes, impounds, and cash to close so the calendar does not surprise you.
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