Property Tax Information


​Welcome to the Treasurer-Tax Collector's Property Tax Information Page. Please use the tabs below to access general information regarding property taxes in Humboldt County.
  1. Secured Property Tax
  2. Unsecured Property Tax
  3. Supplemental Property Tax
  4. Cancellation of Penalty

Secured Property Taxes



Secured property taxes are taxes levied against real property; which includes any property attached to land, such as a house, as well as the land itself.

How Secured Property Taxes are Calculated


The County Assessor assesses the taxable value of a property based on its market value at the time of purchase. Once assessed, the value can increase by no more than 2% annually (per Proposition 13).      

The County Auditor calculates the taxes due. Secured Property is taxed at a rate of 1% of its assessed value. The Auditor also calculates additional taxes for voter approved bonds and direct charges for special assessments depending on where the property is located.

The County Tax Collector mails all tax bills and collects the taxes owed. Tax collections are verified by the Auditor and apportioned to local taxing jurisdictions.

Secured Property Tax Billing


A secured property tax bill covers the fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30, and is mailed no later than November 1. Taxes are billed in two installments, but the tax payer may pay both installments when the bill is received. 

Failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve the tax payer of the responsibility to pay the taxes owed, nor does it give the Tax Collector reason to cancel any late penalties imposed.

Due Dates


The first installment is due November 1, and is delinquent after December 10; the second installment is due February 1, and delinquent after April 10. 

If either of the delinquent dates fall on a weekend or holiday the taxes become delinquent after the next business day.  

Tax bills that remain unpaid after these dates are delinquent and subject to the following penalties:

1st Installment:  10% delinquent penalty, $8.00 notice fee per each delinquent notice mailed
2nd Installment: 10% delinquent penalty, $20.00 cost, $8.00 notice fee per each delinquent notice mailed

Taxes that remain delinquent after June 30 default and accrue interest at a rate of 1.5% per month (18% per year) that they remain unpaid. A $15.00 redemption fee is also imposed. 

A notice of power to sell is recorded for taxes that remain in default for five years. Once recorded, a defaulted property will be taken to auction for payment of taxes per California Code.