Understanding postmarks
Avoid penalties by understanding postmarks
Property tax payments must be received at the Tax Collector's Office or must have a United States Postal Service (USPS) postmark by the Pay By date on your tax bill to avoid penalties.
If a payment is received after the delinquency date with no USPS postmark, the payment is considered late and penalties will be imposed in accordance with State Revenue and Taxation Code.
Late installments receive a ten percent (10%) penalty plus $20.00 cost. For example, if the installment amount due is $1,000.00, a ten percent (10%) penalty of $100.00 and $20.00 cost will be imposed.
Postmarks are imprints on letters, flats, and parcels that show the name of the USPS office that accepted custody of the mail, along with the state, the zip code, and the date of mailing. The postmark is generally applied, either by machine or by hand, with cancellation bars to indicate that the postage cannot be reused.
Taxpayers who send their payments by mail are cautioned that the USPS only postmarks certain mail depending on the type of postage used, and may not postmark mail on the same day deposited by a taxpayer. To ensure timely payment of your tax bill, please mail your payment early enough to account of unforeseen delays in mail handling.
Postage that is postmarked
Standard postage: Stamps purchased and affixed to mail as evidence of the payment of postage.
Postage that is not postmarked
- Metered postage: Mail on which postage is printed directly on an envelope or label by a postage machine licensed by the USPS. Many private companies use these types of postage machines.
- Pre-canceled postage: Stamps sold through a private vendor, such as stamps.com®.
- Automated postal center (APC) postage: Stamps, with or without a date, purchased from machines located within a USPS lobby.
- Permit imprint postage: Pre-sorted mail used by bill pay services, such as online home banking.
If you use these types of postage, the USPS will NOT postmark your mail. You will be charged a ten percent (10%) penalty and $20.00 cost if your payment is not received in our office by the Pay By date on your tax bill.
Other postage options
The USPS has other postage options that can help track and verify that payments are received in our office on time. These services include:
- Priority Mail
- Express Mail
- Postage Validated Imprint
- Certificates of Mailing
- Certified Mail
- USPS Tracking
- Signature Mail
- Delivery Confirmation
- Return Receipt
- Restricted Delivery
NOTE: The sender pays the cost of these optional services. Please visit the United States Postal Service website for information on tracking what you send by mail.
Save time! Pay online!
Pay your taxes online using an electronic check, major credit card, or debit card. Pay directly from your checking account (electronic check; no convenience fees for electronic checks) or pay by using any major credit card or debit card (fees apply). A returned check fee will be charged for any e-check declined by the bank. Fees apply each time a payment is made.
Convenience fee amounts are detailed on the Online Payment Site.