Solano County Tax Records and Payment Services

Property tax records for Solano County are managed by the Treasurer-Tax Collector-County Clerk office. This combined department handles tax billing, payment processing, and record keeping for all properties in the county. Property owners can search tax bills, view assessment data, and make payments through online systems. The County Assessor sets property values annually as of January 1 under Proposition 13 guidelines. Tax bills are mailed twice each year with November and February payment deadlines. Online access to property tax information is free and available to the public. Search by parcel number, street address, or property owner name to find current and past tax records.

Treasurer-Tax Collector Services

The Solano County Treasurer-Tax Collector-County Clerk office provides property tax services for the entire county. Secured property tax bills are sent out in October for the first installment and in January for the second installment. First installment payments are due November 1 and become delinquent after 5:00 pm on December 10. A ten percent penalty applies to late 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 office at 707-784-7485 for assistance with bills, payments, or account questions. Send email inquiries to TTCCC@solanocounty.gov for help with property tax matters. The office is located at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1900, Fairfield, CA 94533. Staff can provide duplicate bills, payment receipts, and information about payment plans or special circumstances.

Solano County uses the PublicAccessNow system at ca-solano.publicaccessnow.com/TaxCollector.aspx for online tax searches and payments. This portal allows property owners to look up current bills, view payment history, and submit electronic payments. The system accepts multiple payment methods including electronic checks and credit cards.

Using the Online Tax Portal

The Solano County property tax portal provides 24-hour access to tax information. You can search for your property using the parcel number from your tax bill. Address searches work when you enter the full street address with house number. Some searches allow lookup by owner name if you know the exact name on record.

Search results show your current tax bill with both installments listed. The portal displays amounts due, payment deadlines, and any penalties that have accrued. You can view prior year bills and payment history going back several years. Download bills as PDF files to save or print for your records.

The system also shows special assessments and voter-approved bonds that apply to your property. These appear as separate line items on the bill. Each charge has its own description and amount. Total tax due includes the base one percent rate plus any additional assessments.

Property Tax Payment Methods

Pay Solano County property taxes online, by mail, or in person. Online payment through the county portal processes immediately. The system accepts electronic checks and credit or debit cards. Check with the portal for current fee schedules on card payments. Electronic checks may have lower or no fees compared to credit card transactions.

Mail your payment to Treasurer-Tax Collector, 675 Texas Street, Suite 1900, Fairfield, CA 94533. Include the payment stub from your bill with your check or money order. Write your parcel number on the check. Allow several days for mail delivery before the deadline. The postmark date determines if your payment is timely.

Visit the Tax Collector office to pay in person during business hours. Bring your tax bill for reference. The office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and possibly credit or debit cards at the counter. Ask about accepted payment forms and any fees that may apply to in-person card payments.

Note: Make sure your parcel number is correct on all payments to avoid processing delays.

Available Property Tax Exemptions

Homeowners in Solano County can claim the standard Homeowners' Exemption for a $7,000 reduction in assessed value. The property must be your primary residence where you live most of the year. File the exemption claim with the County Assessor by February 15. Once approved, the exemption automatically renews each year unless you move or change the property use. This exemption typically saves about $70 per year on your tax bill.

Veterans with service-connected disabilities qualify for additional exemptions based on disability rating and income level. Disabled persons who are not veterans may also get an exemption if they meet age and income requirements. Contact the Solano County Assessor for information about veteran and disability exemption amounts and application procedures.

Senior citizens age 62 and older may qualify for property tax postponement through the California State Controller's Property Tax Postponement Program. This program defers current year taxes if you meet income and equity requirements. Interest accrues at five percent annually. Apply through the State Controller's Office at 800-952-5661, not through the county.

How to Appeal Your Assessment

If you believe your property assessment is too high, file an appeal with the Solano County Assessment Appeals Board. Regular assessment appeals must be filed between July 2 and September 15. Some counties extend this deadline to November 30, so verify the filing period with the Clerk of the Board. Decline-in-value appeals may have different deadlines.

Obtain an appeal application from the County Assessor's office or the Assessment Appeals Board. Fill out the form with property details, your estimate of market value, and reasons for the appeal. Include supporting evidence like recent sales of comparable properties in your area, a professional appraisal, or photographs documenting property issues. Some counties charge a filing fee to cover administrative costs.

The Board will schedule a hearing and send you notice at least 45 days in advance. Prepare your evidence and testimony for the hearing. At the hearing, you present your case first, then the Assessor presents their position. The Board members ask questions and review all evidence before making a decision. The Board's decision applies to that tax year only. You must file a new appeal each year if you continue to disagree with your assessment.

California Property Tax Under Proposition 13

Solano County follows Proposition 13 rules for all property assessments. When you purchase property, the Assessor sets your initial assessed value at the purchase price. This becomes your base year value. Each following year, your value can increase by a maximum of two percent. The Assessor may reduce your value if property values decline in the market.

The base property tax rate is one percent of assessed value. Additional charges for voter-approved school bonds, special assessment districts, and other local measures can increase the total tax rate above one percent. These additional charges vary by location within the county.

New construction on your property triggers a supplemental assessment. The Assessor adds the value of improvements to your base value. You receive a supplemental bill for the added value prorated from when the construction was completed to the end of the fiscal year. Remodeling and additions are assessed when the work is substantially complete.

Cities in Solano County

Solano County contains several incorporated cities. Property taxes for all cities are administered by the county Tax Collector. The cities themselves do not collect property taxes. However, some cities have Community Facilities Districts or special assessments that add charges to property tax bills for properties within district boundaries.

Major cities in Solano County include Fairfield, Vallejo, Vacaville, Suisun City, Benicia, Dixon, and Rio Vista. None exceed 100,000 population individually. Property owners in these cities pay taxes to Solano County. City-specific charges appear as separate line items on the county tax bill.

Nearby Counties

Solano County borders other California counties in the Bay Area and Central Valley regions. Each county operates its own property tax system.