Treasurer-Tax Collector
The Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector provides property tax collection services, treasury management functions, tax payment options, tax sale information, and public financial services for residents, businesses, and government entities. This office helps taxpayers review bills, make payments, understand important tax dates, access online services, and learn about programs involving delinquent taxes, unclaimed money, and treasury operations. This guide explains the main services offered by the Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector and how users can complete common tasks through official county systems.
Office of the Treasurer-Tax Collector Services
The Riverside County Office of the Treasurer-Tax Collector manages both treasury and tax collection responsibilities. The office provides online access for property tax payments, tax status information, important dates, tax sales, and other taxpayer services.
The Treasurer-Tax Collector serves two major functions. The Treasurer manages county treasury activities, including receiving, investing, and safeguarding public funds. The Tax Collector handles billing and collection activities for secured property taxes, unsecured property taxes, supplemental property taxes, transient occupancy taxes, and various special assessments.
Taxpayers can use the office’s online systems to review property tax information, make payments, access electronic billing options, and find information about available programs. The office also provides information and assistance to individuals, businesses, and mortgage professionals through its services and office locations.
Property Tax Payment Options
The Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector offers several ways to pay property taxes. Payments may be made by mail, telephone, online payment systems, electronic payments, or in person.
For mailed payments, checks should be made payable to Riverside County Treasurer and sent to the mailing address provided by the office. Credit card payments cannot be accepted through mail. Taxpayers who want to pay by credit card may use the online or telephone payment systems or pay in person at the Tax Collector’s Office.
Online payments can be made using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check through the county’s payment system. Electronic check payments do not have a charge, while credit and debit card payments include a convenience fee. Electronic payments are available 24 hours a day and are accepted until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the delinquency date.
Taxpayers using home banking should make payments payable to Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector and include the bill number or PIN number in the account number field. Payments must be received by the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office on or before the delinquent date to avoid penalties. The office recommends processing home banking payments 5 to 7 days before the due date.
The official tax payment instructions explain accepted payment methods, electronic payment requirements, and other payment details.
Property Tax Bills and Important Dates
Understanding the property tax calendar helps taxpayers avoid late penalties. The Treasurer-Tax Collector publishes annual dates for secured and unsecured property tax bills, installment due dates, and delinquency deadlines.
Key dates in the property tax cycle include:
July 1 begins the fiscal year, and delinquent secured property taxes default and begin accruing additional penalties of 1.5% per month and a redemption fee.
July is when unsecured property tax bills are mailed.
August and September are when prior year secured property tax bills are mailed.
August 31 is the unsecured property tax delinquent date, with a 10% penalty added after 5:00 p.m.
October is when current year secured property tax bills are mailed.
November 1 is the due date for the first secured property tax installment.
December 10 is the delinquent date for the first secured property tax installment, with a 10% penalty added after 5:00 p.m.
February 1 is the due date for the second secured property tax installment.
April 10 is the delinquent date for the second secured property tax installment, with a 10% penalty and cost added after 5:00 p.m.
If a delinquent date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or County holiday, the delinquent date becomes the next business day. The county provides the current tax cycle calendar and important dates for taxpayers who need to plan payments.
Avoiding Late Payment Penalties
Property tax payments must be received or postmarked by the United States Postal Service by the delinquency date to avoid penalties. If a payment arrives late without an acceptable postmark, penalties may be applied according to state law.
The first installment receives a 10% penalty after the delinquency date. The second installment receives a 10% penalty and cost after the delinquency date.
Taxpayers paying by mail should understand that some postage types do not receive a USPS postmark. Metered mail, pre-canceled stamps, automated postal center stamps, permit imprints, and certain bill payment mailings may not provide a postmark date. Taxpayers may use USPS mailing services such as a certificate of mailing or postage validated imprint label to document the mailing date.
Online payments can help avoid delays because electronic payments are processed through the county payment system. The county provides payment access information through the Treasurer-Tax Collector website.
Online Tax Account Access
The Riverside County electronic payment system allows users to search accounts and make payments online. The system provides options for account searches, payment transactions, mobile home tax clearance certificates, and electronic billing services.
When using online services, taxpayers should have the correct property information available. Tax bills contain important identifiers, including the Primary Identification Number (PIN), bill number, assessment number, and property information.
The PIN is the primary identification number for the property being taxed. The bill number is a unique number assigned to the tax bill each year. Having the correct number helps ensure payments and account searches are applied to the proper account.
Understanding Tax Bills
A Riverside County property tax bill contains several sections that explain the property, assessed values, taxes, special assessments, and payment amounts.
Important information shown on a tax bill includes:
Type of bill, such as secured, unsecured, prior year, delinquent, or corrected tax bill.
Assessor’s parcel number, legal description, and property address information.
Mailing address used for tax bill delivery according to County Assessor records.
PIN number, bill number, and assessment number.
Tax rate area information.
Taxable values determined by the County Assessor.
Exemptions applied by the Assessor.
Total tax amounts, installment amounts, and possible penalties.
Questions about assessed property values or exemptions are handled by the County Assessor. The Treasurer-Tax Collector provides information related to billing, collection, and payment processing.
Treasury Operations and Public Funds
The Riverside County Treasurer performs a state-mandated treasury function governed by the California Government Code. The Treasurer is responsible for receiving, investing, and safeguarding public monies placed in the county treasury.
The Treasurer manages the Treasurer’s Pooled Investment Fund (TPIF), which holds public funds for the county, school districts, community college districts, special districts, and discretionary depositors. Investments are managed according to state law and the Treasurer’s Statement of Investment Policy.
The treasury function focuses on protecting investment principal, maintaining sufficient liquidity for financial obligations, and achieving a reasonable rate of return consistent with these objectives.
Tax Sales and Delinquent Taxes
The Tax Collector manages tax sale operations involving secured and unsecured delinquent taxes. Tax sales are conducted according to state law and approval requirements.
Secured tax sales involve properties that become subject to the County Tax Collector’s power to sell because of defaulted property taxes for five or more years. These properties may be purchased through online public auctions. The county does not offer tax lien certificates or over-the-counter sales.
Unsecured tax sales involve unpaid unsecured personal property taxes. These properties may be subject to seizure and sale under the California Revenue and Taxation Codes. Public auctions may be conducted on-site or online.
Information about current and previous tax sales is available through the county’s tax sale information page.
Unclaimed Money Services
The Treasurer-Tax Collector maintains different types of unclaimed monies. Individuals may review available information and lists for specific types of unclaimed funds through the county’s official unclaimed money services.
The county provides access to information regarding unclaimed money and estates of deceased persons with known heirs through the Unclaimed Money page.
Forms and Tax Documents
The Treasurer-Tax Collector provides official forms for different services handled by the office. Available categories include property tax forms, subdivision map forms, treasury forms, transient occupancy tax forms, Temecula Wine Country Marketing District assessment forms, and other assessment-related forms.
Users who need to complete a county tax-related request can review the available documents through the office’s forms page.
Office Contact and Public Requests
The Treasurer-Tax Collector accepts requests related to its services, including bill requests and public records requests. When contacting the office by email, taxpayers may include their PIN if available to help identify the correct account.
The office also provides requests through listed service options, including Bill Request, City of Riverside County Administrative Center, Palm Desert, Temecula, and Public Records Request.
Relevant Offices
Riverside County Treasurer — P.O. Box 12005, Riverside, CA 92502-2205 — (951) 955-3900
Treasurer-Tax Collector FAQs
How can I pay my property tax bill online?
Property owners can use the Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector online payment system to search tax accounts and make payments electronically. The system allows payments by electronic check or credit and debit cards. Before starting a payment, users should have their property information available, including the PIN or bill number when applicable. Electronic check payments are available without a convenience fee, while card payments include a transaction fee. Visit the Riverside County online tax payment system to access account search and payment options.
What information is needed to understand a tax bill?
A Riverside County property tax bill includes details that help property owners identify their account and review charges. Important information may include the assessor’s parcel number, property address, mailing address, PIN number, bill number, assessment number, tax rate area, taxable values, exemptions, and installment amounts. If a taxpayer has questions about the payment amount, due dates, or account details shown on the bill, reviewing the county’s current secured tax bill explanation can help clarify each section.
When are Riverside County property tax payments due?
The property tax calendar includes several important dates throughout the year. The first secured property tax installment is due November 1, with the delinquent date generally on December 10. The second installment is due February 1, with the delinquent date generally on April 10. Unsecured property tax bills and other tax notices follow their own schedules. Taxpayers can review the official tax cycle calendar and important dates to plan payments and avoid penalties.
How can I avoid late payment penalties?
Payments must be received or properly postmarked by the required delinquency date to avoid penalties. When mailing payments, taxpayers should understand that some postage types may not receive a United States Postal Service postmark. The Treasurer-Tax Collector provides information about acceptable postmarks and other payment timing requirements through its postmark and penalty guidance.
Where can I find tax sale and unclaimed money information?
The Treasurer-Tax Collector provides official information about tax sales involving delinquent secured and unsecured taxes. Taxpayers and interested parties can review auction information, previous sales, and available notices through the county’s tax sale information page. The office also maintains records of different types of unclaimed money, including available information related to certain estates and other unclaimed funds.