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Secured O.C. property tax penalty cancellation deadline extended to June 30

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SANTA ANA, Calif.-Governor Gavin Newsom just signed a number of executive order extensions, including one that has extended a prior order affecting property taxes that expired on May 6.  This new order extends the deadline for submitting the Secured Property Tax Penalty Cancellation Request Form and payment of base property taxes for homeowners and small businesses that were unable to deliver payment by May 6 due to an impact from COVID-19.  The order extends the deadline to submit these penalty cancellation request forms and pay base secured property taxes to June 30, 2021. 

The Governor’s new executive orders provide for penalty cancellations for eligible homeowners and small businesses that were unable to deliver their secured property tax payments timely this past year if they have been directly affected by COVID-19 or suffered a financial hardship from COVID-19.  Eligible property owners should complete and submit the standard Penalty Cancellation request form, describing the impact from COVID-19 and any related back-up, by the June 30, 2021 deadline.  They also need to identify if they are a homeowner or a small business on the form, which can be found on the Treasurer-Tax Collector website.  Homeowners and small businesses that have already paid their secured property taxes including penalties, can complete the same form, describe the direct impact from COVID-19 and if approved, can receive a refund of the penalties.

“This extension allows eligible property owners additional time to file the required forms and related documentation and pay base secured property taxes up until June 30, 2021,” said Orange County Treasurer Shari Freidenrich.   “Property owners that were unable to pay their FY 2020-21 secured property tax payments by either December 10 and/or April 12 as a result of being directly affected by COVID-19 or suffered a financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 should submit a penalty cancellation request by June 30.”

Examples of direct impacts due to COVID-19 may include: illness, hospitalization, quarantine, loss of employment or business closures. Examples of documentation include hospitalization records, doctor’s notes, employment notifications due to a business closure, layoff notices, rent receipt postponement notices/waivers, CA EDD Unemployment Insurance claim letters, etc. Go to ttc.ocgov.com and click on the penalty cancellation icon for further details.

If you were not impacted by COVID-19 and are unable to pay your secured property taxes, a taxpayer can initiate a five-year payment plan on July 1, 2021 for any delinquent secured property taxes. Details for this are at ttc.ocgov.com and then click on installment payment plans under the Popular section of the webpage.

If you have payment questions, please email ttcinfo@ttc.ocgov.com, or call (714) 834- 3411 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

The O.C. Property Tax COVID-19 penalty cancellation deadline is on May 6

Posted on by Posted in Orange County, Santa Ana, Shari Freidenrich, Taxes Leave a comment

SANTA ANA –Thursday is the final day for homeowners and small businesses to pay base property tax without penalty and complete and submit the COVID-19 penalty cancellation request form if they have been directly affected by COVID-19. The Governor’s Executive Order provides for penalty cancellations for certain homeowners and small businesses that were unable to deliver their property tax payments timely this past year if they have been directly affected by COVID-19. Property owners will need to submit the COVID-19 Penalty Cancellation Request form and pay the base property tax amount (without penalties and costs) by May 6, 2021.

“For property owners that were unable to pay their FY 2020-21 secured property tax payments by either December 10 and/or April 12 as a result of being directly affected by COVID-19, Thursday, May 6 is the last day to submit your penalty cancellation request,” said Treasurer Freidenrich. “While we were not able to change the payment deadline set by state law, we were able to extend the time for certain property owners to submit this request form and pay the base property taxes without penalty until May 6. If you believe that you qualify for this penalty cancellation and have not submitted your request yet, please do so by May 6th, along with your base property tax amount.”

Examples of direct impacts due to COVID-19 may include: illness, hospitalization, quarantine, loss of employment or business closures. Examples of documentation include hospitalization records, doctor’s notes, employment notifications due to a business closure, layoff notices, rent receipt postponement notices/waivers, CA EDD Unemployment Insurance claim letters, etc. As these requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, we encourage you to apply by tomorrow and provide your specific circumstances to be considered. Go to ttc.ocgov.com and click on the COVID-19 penalty cancellation icon for further details.

If you were not impacted by COVID-19 and are unable to pay your secured property taxes, a taxpayer can initiate a five year-payment plan on July 1, 2021 for any delinquent secured property taxes. Details for this are at ttc.ocgov.com and then click on installment payment plans under the Popular section of the page.

Also, check out our other online property tax and financial tools:

If you have payment questions, please email ttcinfo@ttc.ocgov.com, or call (714) 834- 3411 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

Property tax penalty cancellations available for those affected by COVID-19

Posted on by Posted in Disease, OC Treasurer, Real Estate, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Governor’s Executive Order provides for penalty cancellations for certain homeowners and small businesses that were unable to deliver their property tax payments timely this past year if they have been directly affected by COVID-19 or suffered a financial hardship from COVID-19. The first day to submit the request for cancellation of the late penalties for the second installment and pay the base taxes due is April 13.  All penalty cancellation requests must be submitted along with the base property taxes no later than May 6, 2021.

“While we have seen great improvements with vaccinations, a decrease in hospitalizations, and a decreased rate of positivity, many Orange County residents have been directly impacted by COVID-19,” said Orange County Treasurer Shari Freidenrich. “For that reason, under direction from Governor’s executive orders, my office will grant penalty cancellations for certain homeowners and small businesses that were unable to deliver their payment timely due to an impact from COVID-19.  Payment of base property taxes is required with the submittal of the request.”

If you have been directly impacted by COVID-19 and did not pay your second installment property taxes by April 12, you should complete the COVID-19 Penalty Cancellation Request Form and provide appropriate supporting documentation related to your request. Although we were not able to change the payment deadline set by state law, we are able to extend the time for you to submit and pay the base property taxes. You will need to submit the COVID-19 Penalty Cancellation Request form and pay the base property tax amount (without penalties and costs) by May 6, 2021.

Examples of direct impacts due to COVID-19 may include: illness, hospitalization, quarantine, loss of employment or business closures. Examples of documentation include hospitalization records, doctor’s notes, employment notifications due to a business closure, layoff notices, rent receipt postponement notices/waivers, CA EDD Unemployment Insurance claim letters, etc. As these requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, we encourage you to apply and provide your specific circumstances to be considered. Go to ttc.ocgov.com/proptax/infofaq/penalties for further details. 

Also, check out our property tax and financial tools:

If you have payment questions, please email ttcinfo@ttc.ocgov.com, or call (714) 834- 3411 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

The secured O.C. property tax payment is due by Monday, April 12

Posted on by Posted in OC Treasurer, Orange County, Real Estate, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The second installment deadline to timely pay secured property taxes for fiscal year 2020/21 is Monday, April 12, due to April 10 being on a Saturday. 

“Stay safe and pay online by using our secure 24/7 online ‘no cost’ eCheck payment option if you are able to pay your property taxes timely,” said OC Treasurer Shari Freidenrich. “You will receive same day credit and a receipt that can be emailed or printed. As long as you pay online by midnight on April 12th, you will avoid any penalties for late payment. ”

Unable to deliver payment by April 12 due to a COVID-19 financial hardship? Check out the options for homeowners and small businesses for penalty cancellations at ttc.ocgov.com and click the COVID-19 Penalty Cancellation image.

The most efficient payment option is eCheck: it’s Fast, Safe and Secure. Just enter a parcel number or property address at ocgov.com/octaxbill to view/print tax bills dating back 10 years, the prior two years of payment history and an online statement of your account. While there is no charge for eCheck, taxpayers who pay with a credit or debit card will be assessed a 2.29 percent service charge.

While the IRS has extended State and Federal Tax Returns to May 17th, The OC Treasurer does not have the authority to extend the property tax payment deadline beyond April 12th. Payments not received by the deadline will incur a 10 percent penalty plus a $23 fee, unless postmarked on or before April 12th by the USPS. However, taxpayers who pay base taxes by May 6th, complete and file a COVID-19 penalty cancellation request form and meet the criteria as a homeowner or small business that has been financially impacted by COVID-19 will have their penalties cancelled.

Taxpayers may also scan the QR code on their secured property tax bill to be taken right to their property webpage. Other payment options include paying by check, cashier’s check or money order using our 24/7 depository payment drop box located off Ross Street on the side of the County Administration South building, mailing your payment using the envelope included in the property tax bill, or in person at the County Service Center at 601 N. Ross Street in Santa Ana. If mailing your payment, we recommend that you get a USPS hand-stamped postmark on or before April 12 to avoid penalties.

Also, check out our property tax and financial tools:

· Subscribe to text/email payment reminders at ocgov.com/octaxreminder

· View and download our Property Tax eGuides at ocgov.com/ocpropertytaxguides

· View all County parcels with links to the bills on a GIS map at mello.ocgov.com

· Subscribe to our Financial Tip of the Week at ocgov.com/ocfinancialinfo

If you have payment questions please email ttcinfo@ttc.ocgov.com, or call (714) 834- 3411 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

Time to pay your O.C. property taxes, on Dec. 10

Posted on by Posted in OC Treasurer, Orange County, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The first installment deadline to timely pay secured property taxes for fiscal year 2020/21 is Thursday, December 10.

“I encourage property owners to Stay Home, Stay Safe and Pay Online using our secure eCheck payment option” says Treasurer Shari. L. Freidenrich.  “There is no cost for eCheck, you will receive same day credit and can either print or have the receipt emailed to you.  We have already had a 29 percent increase in taxpayers using this method versus the prior year.”

Unable to delivery payment by December 10 due to a COVID-19 financial hardship? Check out the limited options for penalty cancellations at ttc.ocgov.com/proptax/infofaq/penalties.

The most efficient payment option is eCheck: it’s Fast, Safe and Secure. You just enter a parcel number or property address to view/print tax bills dating back 10 years and an online statement of your account. While there is no charge for eCheck, taxpayers who pay with a credit or debit card will be assessed a 2.29 percent service charge.

Taxpayers may also scan the QR code on their secured property tax bill to be taken right to their property webpage.  Other payment options we recommend include paying using our 24/7 depository payment drop box located off Ross Street on the side of the County Administration South building or mailing your payment using the envelope included in the property tax bill.  If mailing, we recommend that you get a USPS hand-stamped postmark on or before December 10 to avoid penalties.

Check out our property tax and financial tools: 

If you have questions or are having difficulty paying, please email ttcinfo@ttc.ocgov.com, or call (714) 834- 3411 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

In-person O.C. property tax payments accepted starting today

Posted on by Posted in OC Treasurer, Orange County, Real Estate, Santa Ana, Shari Freidenrich, Taxes Leave a comment

Submit COVID-19 Property Tax Penalty Cancellation Request and Pay Base Property Taxes by June 30 to have the 10% Penalty Cancelled

SANTA ANA – Taxpayers can start making in-person property tax payments by cash, check or credit/debit card starting June 22 at the County’s Service Center.  COVID-19 restrictions will be in place including physical distancing measures limiting the number of people allowed inside the County Service Center with the overflow outside in a shaded area. All staff assisting customers will be separated by see-through guards and will be wearing masks.

“COVID-19 has been devastating for property tax owners,” Treasurer Shari Freidenrich said. “It’s the right thing to do to cancel penalties for all taxpayers who were unable to pay by April 10 due to COVID-19 and who pay by June 30. Implementing this policy to accept these COVID-19 cancellation requests for all taxpayers up to June 30 has essentially delayed the payment of property taxes for over two months and allowed taxpayers to apply for government programs that may have brought them much needed cash.”   

In addition, Treasurer Freidenrich is requesting that taxpayers impacted by COVID-19 submit their COVID-19 penalty cancellation request forms by June 30 and include a check for base taxes to ensure that their penalties are cancelled. Submittals can be mailed, dropped off at the Treasurer’s depository payment drop box located at 601 N. Ross St. or in-person at the County Service Center between June 22 and June 30.  

The second installment of property taxes was due on April 10, but all property owners with a COVID-19 hardship have until June 30 to pay just their base property taxes and submit the required COVID-19 form.  Some limited exceptions by law will be allowed after the June 30 due date.  For taxpayers who do not meet the limited exceptions, payment of delinquent property taxes will include a 10 percent penalty, a $23 delinquent charge and interest charges of 18 percent annually that start accruing on July 1.  

To further assist taxpayers during this time of financial crisis, Treasurer Freidenrich has implemented a Financial Tip of the Week to help taxpayers protect their monies.  Taxpayers can sign up to receive these tips by text or email at ocgov.com/ocfinancialtips. These tips are on a Financial Resource webpage that includes other financial information dealing with a variety of topics such as COVID-19 help for seniors. Go to ocgov.com/ocfinancialinfo.

O.C. property taxpayers directly affected by COVID-19 will have penalties cancelled

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Emergencies, OC Treasurer, Orange County, Santa Ana, Shari Freidenrich, Taxes Leave a comment

SANTA ANA – The Orange County Treasurer is now accepting penalty cancellation requests for taxpayers who have been directly impacted by COVID-19.

“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the taxpayers here in Orange County, in the United States and all over the world.  We want to be as compassionate and generous as possible,” said Treasurer Shari Freidenrich.  “We will be cancelling penalties for those homeowners, small businesses and other property owners that have been directly affected by COVID-19.”

If you have been directly impacted by COVID-19 and did not pay your property taxes by April 10, you should complete the COVID-19 Penalty Cancellation Request Form. Although we were not able to change the payment deadline set by state law, we are now able to extend the time for you to submit and pay the base property taxes.  You will need to submit the COVID-19 Penalty Cancellation Request form and pay the base tax amount (without penalties and costs) so that it is received between April 11 and June 30, 2020.

Examples of direct impacts due to COVID-19 include: illness, hospitalization, quarantine, loss of employment or business closures. Examples of documentation include hospitalization records, doctor’s notes, employment notifications due to a business closure, layoff notices, rent receipt postponement notices/waivers, CA EDD Unemployment Insurance claim letters, etc. As these requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, we encourage you to apply and provide your specific circumstances to be considered.  See COVID-19 FAQs at ttc.ocgov.com/proptax/infofaq/penalties.

“During these unprecedented times, it is important that you know we understand the current economic hardships you directly experienced due to COVID-19 and are doing our part to help by cancelling penalties.  We want to thank taxpayers who timely paid their second installment taxes,” said Treasurer Freidenrich.  “Many of the services being provided during this emergency are paid for using property tax dollars, including those of first responders.”

Our customer service center is available to assist taxpayers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (714) 834-3411 or you can email ttcinfo@ttc.ocgov.com.  Our website at ttc.ocgov.com also has a lot of information on property taxes.

O.C. Treasurer-Tax Collector Freidenrich will grant penalty relief for taxpayers as allowed by existing State law

Posted on by Posted in OC Treasurer, Orange County, Santa Ana, Shari Freidenrich Leave a comment

SANTA ANA – Treasurer-Tax Collector Freidenrich announces her full support for waiver of penalties, costs or other charges as allowed by existing state law for taxpayers that fail to make a timely payment. The impact of the COVID19 has been financially devastating for many Orange County taxpayers.

The last timely payment date remains at April 10, as neither the County nor the Treasurer-Tax Collector has the legal authority under the statute to change or extend this date. The April 10 date is set by state law, which can only be amended by the legislature.

We understand that the Federal and State governments have granted extensions for both the Federal and State Income Tax deadlines and as noted above, the County has no authority to change state law. If the State were to extend the deadline, it would have a significantly impact on local governments and K-12 School and Community College Districts (Schools) revenues, who have only received just over half of the annual property tax for this year.

In many local governments, property taxes represent one of the largest single annual revenue sources and pay for the public safety and other local government services you receive daily during the year. In addition, Schools are the largest recipient of property taxes here in Orange County (Where Your Property Tax Goes). For Secured property taxes, the bills are mailed in September and have a due date of November 1 and February 1 (with grace periods to December 10 and April 10, respectively), just two payments in a year. These local agencies would bear the brunt of any delay in the receipt of these vitally important property taxes that they need to provide local services.

“COVID-19, and the State’s order for all non-essential businesses to close, has had a significant impact on our taxpayers” Treasurer Freidenrich said. “I plan to grant waivers on penalties to taxpayers as allowed by existing law to assist them during these challenging times.”

For taxpayers that do not make payment of property taxes due to COVID-19 by April 10, we expect them to submit a Penalty Cancellation Request Form and documentation to support the cancellation of penalties as allowed in limited circumstances under current state law. The existing state law, which Treasurer Freidenrich will follow, allows for waiver of penalties, costs and other charges when failure to make a timely payment is due to reasonable cause and circumstances beyond the taxpayer’s control, and occurred notwithstanding the exercise of ordinary care in the absence of willful neglect.

In closing, we appreciate those taxpayers that can pay by the April 10 date as these dollars will be allocated in April to the local agencies that provide day-to-day services to taxpayers. We appreciate your assistance during this very challenging time for all of us in the County of Orange. Please email us at ttcinfo@ttc.ocgov.com if you have property tax payment questions, sign up for our property tax information subscription list at ocgov.com/octaxreminder by text or email and “Stay Home and Pay Online” at ocgov.com/octaxbill. Please stay safe.

Orange County has canceled their annual property tax auction

Posted on by Posted in Orange County, Real Estate, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment

The Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector has canceled the property tax auction scheduled for Monday, March 23, following the closure of the County Service Center on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. The closure was a precautionary measure to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The Treasurer-Tax Collector expects to offer all remaining properties on the auction list at the next auction if the delinquent property taxes remain unpaid. We are tentatively planning to hold the next auction online later this year. We appreciate your interest in the Orange County Property Tax Auction.

You can sign up to receive text message or email alerts on upcoming tax auctions at ocgov.com/octaxauctionreminder. To get the latest information on the upcoming property tax payment deadline, sign up for the secured property tax reminders at ocgov.com/octaxreminder or visit ttc.ocgov.com.

For the latest information on COVID-19, go to ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus.

The SAUSD’s latest tax increase, Measure I, was shredded by two mailers this week

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Ballot Measures, Cecilia Iglesias, Education, John Palacio, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Taxes 1 Comment

Two campaign mailers arrived in Santa Ana mailboxes today – in a direct hit on the SAUSD’s Measure I – the district’s third property tax increase in 19 years.

One of the mailers addressed the unfairness of Measure I, which will have a huge negative impact on Santa Ana senior citizens and others on fixed incomes, such as the disabled and those who are combating serious illnesses. Continue reading→

Low income seniors or disabled taxpayers can now postpone their O.C. property taxes

Posted on by Posted in Education, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 27, 2018

Property Tax Postponement Program Accepting Applications on October 1, 2018!

Orange County Treasurer Shari Freidenrich announces that the California Property Tax Postponement Program (PTP) application period opens October 1, 2018. Information is available on the Office of the State Controller’s website, by calling 800-952-5661 or by emailing the state at postponement@sco.ca.gov. Funding under the program is limited and available to applicants on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The PTP, which has been reinstated after being suspended by the Governor in 2009, offers housing security for seniors and homeowners with disabilities. The program allows eligible homeowners who are blind, disabled or at least 62 years of age to defer Fiscal Year 2018-19 property taxes on their principal residence if they meet certain established criteria. Continue reading→

Orange County Property Tax Auction set for March 21

Posted on by Posted in OC Treasurer, Orange County, Real Estate, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment

PRESS RELEASE: February 22, 2018

TREASURER-TAX COLLECTOR SHARI L. FREIDENRICH

Property Tax Auction on Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Orange County Treasurer Shari L. Freidenrich announced that the next tax auction is at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room at 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Building 10 in Santa Ana. “We currently have 15 improved parcels and six unimproved parcels to auction, and expect to actually auction off between five and 10 parcels,” stated Treasurer Freidenrich. The Treasurer will not auction off properties that have paid all delinquent taxes and penalties in full by 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 20 or are otherwise ineligible for sale. The current list of parcels, a link directly to the parcel on a GIS map and other information on our upcoming tax auction are available at ocgov.com/taxauction. The list of parcels is updated every week. A GIS map of all parcels is available at ocgov.com/octaxmap or by scanning the QR code below. Continue reading→

Update from the OC Treasurer/Tax Collector regarding the Federal Tax Changes

Posted on by Posted in OC Treasurer, Orange County, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment

Important Federal Tax Changes Relating to Property Taxes!

The new federal legislation relating to the deductibility of State and Local Taxes (SALT) greatly scales back how much state and local taxes can be deducted on federal income taxes in 2018. Under the 2017 federal law, the SALT deduction is unlimited. In the new legislation, taxpayers can only deduct up to $10,000, any combination of property, income or sales taxes. As the average secured property tax bill in fiscal year 2017-2018 is approximately $7,100, and California has both an income tax and sales tax, it is likely that many taxpayers would pay more than $10,000 in SALT next year.

Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Freidenrich is encouraging taxpayers to check with their CPAs or financial advisors to see if paying the second installment of the fiscal year 2017-18 property taxes or any outstanding supplemental property taxes prior to December 31, 2017, makes financial sense. The second installment of secured property taxes is due on February 1 and late after April 10, 2018. Every year, we have many taxpayers that make both installment payments prior to the end of the calendar year. Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s overpaid new City Manager wants to tax us out of our homes

Posted on by Posted in Politics, Raul Godinez, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment

The new Santa Ana City Manager, Raul Godinez, spoke at the last ComLink meeting. Remember that our Santa Ana City Council majority recently hired Godinez, who was the Public Works Manager in Lynwood, and made him the second highest paid City Manager in all of California.

Someone at the Com Link meeting pointed out to Godinez that the city’s revenue is down 2% and expenses are up 4% and asked how he planned to address this budget deficit issue. Continue reading→

Property tax assistance now available for O.C. homeowners

Posted on by Posted in OC Treasurer, Orange County, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Shari L. Freidenrich, (714) 834-7625, Treasurer@ttc.ocgov.com

DATE: September 27, 2016

Property Tax Assistance Now Available for Homeowners!

Orange County Treasurer Shari Freidenrich announces the reinstatement of the California Property Tax Postponement Program (PTP) and that the application and accompanying information is available on the Office of the State Controller’s website at sco.ca.gov/ardtax_prop_tax_postponement.html, by calling 800- 952-5661, or by emailing the state at postponement@sco.ca.gov. Continue reading→