The secured property tax bill is payable in two installments: 

• The first installment is due and payable on November 1. However, you have until 5 p.m. on December 10 to make your payment before a 10% penalty and $20.00 cost is added to your bill. 
• The second installment is due and payable on February 1. The grace period on the second installment expires at 5 p.m. on April 10. If the installment remains unpaid as of April 10, a 10% penalty and $20.00 cost is imposed.

If December 10 or April 10 fall on a weekend or County of Santa Clara holiday, then the Delinquent Date is extended to the next business day.

Unsecured Property annual tax bills are mailed are mailed in July of every year. The taxes are due on August 31. If not paid by 5:00PM, they become delinquent.

If this day falls on a weekend or County of Santa Clara holiday, then the Delinquent Date is extended to the next business day.

A secured tax bill covers a fiscal year. The fiscal year begins July 1 and ends on June 30 of the following calendar year.

​Any unpaid current secured property taxes as of 5:00 p.m. June 30 will be enrolled on the Defaulted Master Tax File. A $30.00 redemption fee is immediately added and the delinquent bill accrues penalties of 1.5% per month until paid. These tax bills are also referred to as "prior year secured taxes" or "redemptions.

​The term "secured" simply means taxes that are assessed against real property (e.g., land or structures). The tax is a lien that is "secured" by the land/structure even though no document was officially recorded. This means that if the taxes remain unpaid after a period of five (5) years, the property may be sold to cover the taxes owed.

Santa Clara County Assessor establishes the value of property on January 1. This date is often referred to as the Tax Lien date. The secured property tax bill, issued months later, uses the value established on the Tax Lien date.

If you own a home and occupy it as your principal place of residence as of January 1, you may apply for an exemption of $7,000 of your assessed value. New property owners should automatically receive an exemption application in the mail. A Homeowners' Exemption also may apply to a supplemental assessment if the property was not previously receiving a Homeowners' Exemption on the regular Assessment Roll.