El Dorado County Property Tax Records

El Dorado County maintains property tax records through the County Assessor and Treasurer-Tax Collector offices. Property owners access tax bills, assessed values, and payment portals through county online systems. The Assessor establishes property values annually on January 1 under Proposition 13 guidelines. Tax bills are issued in two installments each year with due dates in November and February. Property tax information is public record and available at no cost through online databases. Search for properties using parcel numbers, street addresses, or owner names to view current bills, payment history, and assessment records for all county properties including Lake Tahoe areas.

El Dorado County Assessor Office

The El Dorado County Assessor determines the value of all taxable property in the county. Values are set each January 1 based on market conditions and property characteristics. New purchases are valued at sale price. Existing properties can increase by a maximum of two percent per year under Proposition 13. The Assessor also handles exemption applications and ownership change assessments.

The Assessor maintains offices in two locations. The main office is at 360 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667. Call 530-621-5719 for assistance. The South Lake Tahoe office can be reached at 530-573-3422. Email questions to assessor@edcgov.us for information about valuations, exemptions, or property records.

Assessor staff can provide property information including land size, building details, assessed value, and exemptions. Property owners can request assessment records or review property data at either office location. The Assessor also provides information about appealing assessments if you believe your value is incorrect.

Treasurer-Tax Collector Services

The El Dorado County Treasurer-Tax Collector handles property tax billing and collection for the entire county. Secured property tax bills are mailed in October and January. First installment payments are due November 1 and become delinquent after 5:00 pm on December 10. A ten percent penalty applies to late first installment payments. Second installment bills are due February 1 and delinquent after 5:00 pm on April 10 with another ten percent penalty.

Contact the Tax Collector at 530-621-5800 for help with bills, payments, or account information. Send email to taxcollector@edcgov.us for questions about property taxes. The office can provide duplicate bills, payment receipts, and information about tax sales or delinquent accounts.

El Dorado County provides an online payment portal at common3.mptsweb.com/MBC/eldorado/tax/search for convenient tax bill lookup and payment processing. Electronic fund transfers cost $0.75. Credit and debit card payments have a 1.95 percent fee with a minimum charge of $1.95. Returned payments result in a $25 fee.

Using the Online Tax Portal

The El Dorado County tax portal allows 24-hour access to property tax information. Search by entering your Assessor's Parcel Number from your tax bill. You can also search using the property street address. Include the house number, street name, and city or zip code for best results. Some searches work with property owner names.

Search results display your current tax bill with both installment amounts shown. The portal indicates payment status and deadlines for each installment. View past year bills and payment history going back several years. Download bills in PDF format to save or print for your records.

The system shows all charges on your bill including the base tax, special assessments, and voter-approved bonds. Each item has a description and amount. The total includes all charges that apply to your property based on its location and any special districts.

How to Pay Your Property Taxes

Pay El Dorado County property taxes online, by mail, or in person. Online payment through the county portal is available 24 hours a day. Choose electronic fund transfer for a flat $0.75 fee. Credit and debit cards cost 1.95 percent of the payment with a $1.95 minimum. The portal processes payments immediately and provides instant confirmation.

Mail your check or money order to the address on your tax bill. Include the payment stub. Write your parcel number on the check. Allow time for delivery before the deadline. The postmark date determines if payment is timely. Use certified mail near the deadline for proof of mailing.

Visit the Tax Collector office in Placerville to pay in person. Bring your bill. The office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and possibly cards. Ask about payment methods and fees at the counter. A drop box may be available for after-hours payments, but the county may not be responsible for items placed in the drop box.

Note: Payments must be received or postmarked by the due date to avoid penalties.

Available Property Tax Exemptions

El Dorado County homeowners can claim the Homeowners' Exemption for a $7,000 reduction in assessed value. The property must be your principal residence where you live most of the year. Apply by February 15 to receive the exemption for that tax year. Once approved, the exemption renews automatically each year unless you move or sell the property. This exemption saves approximately $70 per year on your tax bill.

Veterans with service-connected disabilities qualify for exemptions based on disability rating and income. Disabled persons under age 62 may also get an exemption if they meet requirements. Contact the Assessor at 530-621-5719 for details about veteran and disability exemptions, including required documentation and application procedures.

Senior citizens age 62 and older with limited income may qualify for property tax postponement through the California State Controller's Office. This program defers current year property taxes if you meet income and equity requirements. Interest accrues at five percent annually on postponed amounts. Call 800-952-5661 for State Controller program information.

Assessment Appeals Process

Property owners can appeal assessments they believe are too high. File appeals with the El Dorado County Assessment Appeals Board. Regular assessment appeals must be filed between July 2 and September 15. Some counties extend the deadline to November 30. Contact the Clerk of the Board to verify filing deadlines and requirements for your situation.

Obtain an appeal application from the County Assessor or the Assessment Appeals Board. Fill out the form with property details, your estimate of value, and reasons for the appeal. Attach supporting documents like recent sales of similar properties, professional appraisals, or photos. The county may charge a filing fee for processing the appeal.

The Board schedules a hearing after you file. You get written notice at least 45 days before the hearing date. At the hearing, present your evidence and testimony. The Assessor also presents their valuation. The Board reviews all information and makes a decision on the correct value. Successful appeals reduce your tax for that year. File a new appeal each year if you continue to disagree with the assessment.

Lake Tahoe Area Property Taxes

El Dorado County includes a significant portion of the Lake Tahoe basin. Properties on the South Shore and surrounding areas fall under county jurisdiction. Lake Tahoe properties follow the same tax rules as the rest of El Dorado County. However, Tahoe properties often have higher assessed values due to lake views, ski resort access, and tourism appeal.

The Assessor maintains a dedicated office in South Lake Tahoe at 530-573-3422 to serve Tahoe area property owners. This office handles assessments, exemptions, and ownership changes for properties in the Tahoe basin. Values are based on sales of comparable resort area properties.

Many Tahoe properties are vacation rentals. Assessment is based on market value as residential property, not rental income. Transient occupancy taxes for short-term rentals are separate from property taxes. Cities and the county collect TOT separately from property tax bills.

Special assessment districts in the Tahoe area fund services like fire protection, water systems, and recreation facilities. These charges appear as line items on property tax bills. The charges vary by location and district boundaries.

About El Dorado County

El Dorado County extends from the Sacramento Valley through the Sierra Nevada foothills to Lake Tahoe. The county includes diverse property types from agricultural land to mountain resort homes. Property tax rates vary by location due to different special districts and voter-approved bonds in each area.

No cities in El Dorado County exceed 100,000 population. All property taxes are collected by the County Treasurer-Tax Collector regardless of whether properties are in incorporated cities or unincorporated areas. Cities do not directly collect property taxes from residents.

Nearby Counties

El Dorado County borders several California counties and Nevada. Each California county manages its own property tax system.