First installment for secured property taxes deadline Monday

The first installment of secured property taxes for Tulare County residents is due Dec. 12 for those wanting to avoid additional penalties and cost, said Rita A. Woodard, Tulare County Auditor-controller/treasurer-tax Collector .

To help make payments more convenient, the county has created several options, which include paying online at tularecountytax.com or paying by phone by calling 1-800-265-9581, both of which can be paid by using either a credit card or E-check 24 hours a day. Residents using any of those payment methods are encouraged to have their credit card number or checking account number and their Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) available.

Woodard said residents can also pay by mailing a check in one of the envelopes provided with a bill, or pay in person — by cash or check — at the tax collector’s office at 221 S. Mooney Blvd., room 104-E in Visalia.

For those paying in person, the office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Woodard said payments being mailed in must be postmarked by Dec. 12 or a 10 percent penalty will apply. She said the tax collector’s office has a curbside drop box for tax payments made by check, which is located in the northeast parking lot (next to Mooney Boulevard) at the Visalia Courthouse.

She said the county’s vendor will charge a convenience fee for those paying with a credit card.

Woodard said residents should make their property tax check payable to Tulare County Tax Collector and mail their payment to Tulare County Tax Collector PO Box 30329, Los Angeles, CA 90030-0329.

She said for those who did not receive their secured property tax bill or are unable to find it, may view and print a copy at www.tularecountytax.com or report to the tax collector’s office for a duplicate tax bill.

Those having questions regarding their tax bill are encouraged to call 6365250.

Woodard said any questions about values, mailing addresses, or assessments should be directed to the Tulare County Assessor’s Office at 636-5100.