Contra Costa County Tax Records

Contra Costa County property tax records are managed by the Treasurer-Tax Collector and Assessor offices. Property owners can look up tax bills, view assessed values, and make payments online through county portals. The county serves over one million residents in cities like Concord, Richmond, and Antioch. Electronic check payments have no fee, making them the most economical payment option. PayPal, credit cards, and debit cards have a 2.50 percent service fee with a minimum charge of $3.50. Returned checks can cost up to $85 in fees. Most property information is available online at no cost through secure county systems that operate around the clock for public access to records and payment options.

Treasurer-Tax Collector Office

The Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector bills and collects property taxes. Secured property tax bills mail in October each year. First installment is due November 1 and becomes delinquent December 10 at 5:00 pm. Second installment is due February 1 and becomes delinquent April 10 at 5:00 pm. Each late installment receives a ten percent penalty immediately after the deadline.

Contact the Tax Collector at 925-608-9500. The office is at 625 Court Street, Room 100, Martinez, CA 94553. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The online tax lookup portal is at taxcolp.cccttc.us/lookup where you can search bills, view payment history, and make payments.

The county accepts payments online, by mail, in person, and by phone. Electronic check payments have no fee. PayPal, credit cards, and debit cards have a 2.50 percent service fee with a minimum of $3.50. Choose the payment method that works best for your situation.

How to Pay Property Taxes

Pay Contra Costa County property taxes online at taxcolp.cccttc.us/lookup. Enter your parcel number or property address to find your bill. The portal shows both installments, due dates, and payment history. Select your payment method and complete the transaction. Electronic checks are free. Cards have a 2.50 percent fee with a $3.50 minimum.

Mail payments to the address on your tax bill. Include the payment stub with your check or money order. Postmarks on the due date count as on-time. Use certified mail for proof of mailing if sending payment close to the deadline. In-person payments are accepted at 625 Court Street, Room 100, Martinez during business hours. The counter takes cash, checks, money orders, and debit cards.

Returned check fees can be up to $85. Make sure you have sufficient funds before writing a check for property tax payment. Electronic payments process faster and provide immediate confirmation of payment.

Note: Keep your payment receipts as proof in case of disputes.

Assessor's Office

The Contra Costa County Assessor determines the value of all taxable property. Values are set each January 1 based on Proposition 13 guidelines. The Assessor also processes exemption claims and handles ownership changes. Property records are searchable online through county systems.

Look up property information by address, parcel number, or owner name. The database shows assessed value, property characteristics, exemptions, and sales history. This service is free to use and available to the public without registration.

Property Tax Exemptions

The Homeowners' Exemption provides a $7,000 reduction in assessed value for owner-occupied principal residences. File by February 15 to receive the exemption for that tax year. Once approved, it renews automatically each year. Notify the Assessor if you move or rent out the property.

Veterans with disabilities qualify for exemptions based on disability rating and income. Basic exemption is $4,000 off assessed value. Low-income veterans with 100 percent disability may receive up to $138,173 exemption. Disabled persons under age 62 also qualify with income limits. Contact the Assessor for application forms and eligibility requirements.

Churches, schools, hospitals, and charitable organizations can apply for welfare exemptions on property used for exempt purposes. These require annual filing by February 15 with documentation showing exempt use of the property.

Filing Assessment Appeals

Property owners can appeal assessments they believe are too high. File your appeal between July 2 and September 15 for regular assessment appeals. Some decline-in-value appeals have extended deadlines to November 30. Check with the Clerk of the Assessment Appeals Board to confirm which deadline applies.

Get the appeal form from the Assessor or the Clerk of the Board. Complete property information, state your opinion of value, and explain why the current assessment is wrong. Attach supporting evidence like appraisals, comparable sales, or photos. Some counties charge a filing fee to cover administrative costs.

The Board schedules a hearing after you file. You receive written notice at least 45 days before the hearing date. At the hearing, present your case with evidence. The Assessor presents their valuation. The Board considers both sides and issues a written decision. Most hearings last 15 to 30 minutes.

Late Payment Penalties

Late payments receive a ten percent penalty on each installment. First installment penalties apply after 5:00 pm on December 10. Second installment penalties apply after 5:00 pm on April 10. These penalties are calculated on the installment amount, not the full year tax.

After June 30, unpaid taxes go into default. Defaulted taxes accrue additional interest and costs. The county can eventually sell properties with long-term unpaid taxes to recover amounts owed. Contact the Tax Collector at 925-608-9500 if you need help with delinquent taxes.

Major Cities in Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County includes several cities over 100,000 population. The County Assessor and Tax Collector handle property taxes for all cities.

Nearby Counties

Contra Costa County borders Alameda, Solano, Sacramento, and San Joaquin counties. Each county operates its own property tax system.