First installment of county property taxes due Dec. 12

San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister reminded landowners today that the first installment of property taxes is due on Monday, Dec. 12.

“We are giving our taxpayers two extra days to pay their taxes due to the Dec 10th falling on a Saturday,’” said McAllister. `”We are encouraging our taxpayers to pay online, by phone or by mail to avoid the rush and the long lines if they pay in person.’’

He said people who want to pay in person should do so at branch offices in El Cajon, Kearny Mesa, San Marcos and Chula Vista.

In September, 978,629 property tax bills were mailed to San Diego County property owners. As of last week, the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office had received 40 percent of the payments.

“We are thrilled our taxpayers are paying early and avoiding the long lines and penalty fees but we still have more than 582,000 first installments to collect,’’ McAllister said. “As a reminder, all payments must be postmarked by the 12th to avoid late charges.”

Property owners who are late face a penalty of 10 percent of their bill, plus a $10 fee, he said.