What SDTTC.com is and how to use it
SDTTC.com is the online payment portal for San Diego County property taxes. It stands for San Diego Tax and Treasurer's Collections. You use it to pay property tax bills online instead of mailing a check or paying in person at the county office.
The site lets you pay with a debit card, credit card, or electronic bank transfer. You'll need your property account number or parcel number to look up your bill. Once you log in or enter your property information, you can see what you owe, choose a payment method, and complete the transaction in one session.
Payments made through SDTTC.com are processed by a third-party payment processor, not directly by the county. This means there may be a processing fee added to your payment, depending on which payment method you choose. The site will show you the fee amount before you confirm.
Key Takeaways
- SDTTC.com is San Diego County's official online property tax payment portal, and you can access it anytime without visiting an office.
- You will need your property account number or parcel number to look up your bill and make a payment.
- Payment methods include debit cards, credit cards, and electronic bank transfers, each with different fee structures.
- The site processes payments through a third party, so fees are added on top of your tax amount and shown before you pay.
- Payments typically post to your account within one to two business days, but you should keep your confirmation number for your records.
Finding your property account number or parcel number
Your property account number or parcel number appears on your property tax bill. If you have the bill in front of you, look at the top or header section — the number is usually printed prominently and may be labeled "Account Number," "Parcel Number," or "APN" (Assessor's Parcel Number).
If you don't have your bill, you can search for your property on the San Diego County Assessor's website. Enter your address or owner name, and the assessor's records will show your parcel number. Write this number down before you go to SDTTC.com, because you'll need it to pull up your account.
Payment methods and fees
SDTTC.com accepts three main payment methods: credit cards, debit cards, and electronic bank transfers (ACH). Each method carries a different fee structure, and the site displays the exact fee before you confirm your payment.
Credit and debit card payments typically have the highest fees, usually a percentage of your total payment amount. Electronic bank transfers (ACH) usually cost less or may have no fee, but they take longer to process — typically three to five business days instead of one to two. If you're paying close to a deadline, a card payment will post faster, but you'll pay more for the speed.
The payment processor is a third party, not the county itself, so the county does not set or receive these fees. The fees go to the processor for handling the transaction. Always review the fee amount on the confirmation screen before you submit your payment.
Timing and deadlines for property tax payments
San Diego County property taxes are due in two installments each year. The first installment is usually due in December, and the second is usually due in April. If you miss the deadline, penalties and interest begin to accrue on the unpaid amount.
When you make a payment through SDTTC.com, the transaction is recorded immediately, but it may take one to two business days for the payment to post to your official county account. If you're paying very close to a deadline, confirm the posting timeline with the county before you rely on an online payment to meet the date. You can contact the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector's office directly if you have questions about when your payment will be recorded.
Keep your confirmation number and receipt from SDTTC.com. This is your proof of payment and shows the date and amount you paid. If there is ever a dispute about whether your payment was received, you'll need this documentation.
What to do if you can't pay the full amount
If you cannot pay your full property tax bill by the deadline, you have options. You can pay a partial amount through SDTTC.com to reduce the penalty, or you can contact the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector's office to ask about a payment plan.
The county may allow you to set up an installment agreement for unpaid taxes, though this typically requires a formal request and may include additional fees or interest. Partial payments reduce the amount of penalty that accrues, so paying something before the deadline is better than paying nothing. SDTTC.com will accept any payment amount, so you can pay what you can afford and then arrange a plan for the rest.
Troubleshooting common payment problems
If your payment is declined, the most common reason is that your card information was entered incorrectly. Double-check the card number, expiration date, and CVV code. If the information is correct and the payment is still declined, your card issuer may have blocked the transaction — contact your bank to ask if they flagged the payment as suspicious.
If you don't receive a confirmation number after submitting your payment, do not assume the payment went through. Wait a few minutes and try again, or contact SDTTC.com's support line to verify whether the transaction was processed. Submitting the same payment twice by accident can result in an overpayment that you'll have to request back from the county.
If you see an error in your bill amount or believe you've been charged incorrectly, contact the San Diego County Assessor's office or the Treasurer-Tax Collector's office directly. SDTTC.com only processes payments — it does not resolve billing disputes. The county will investigate and correct any errors on your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up automatic payments through SDTTC.com?
SDTTC.com does not offer automatic recurring payments. You must log in and make each payment manually. However, you can set a reminder on your calendar for the due date so you don't forget to pay.
What if I overpay my property tax bill?
If you pay more than you owe, the county will hold the overpayment as a credit on your account or issue a refund. Contact the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector's office to request a refund, or you can leave the credit to apply toward your next tax bill.
Is SDTTC.com secure for entering my payment information?
SDTTC.com uses encryption to protect your payment information during the transaction. However, always make sure you are on the official county website (sdttc.com) and not a phishing site. Type the URL directly into your browser rather than clicking a link in an email.
Can I pay someone else's property tax bill through SDTTC.com?
Yes, you can pay another person's bill if you have their property account number or parcel number. The payment will be applied to that property account regardless of whose name is on the payment method. Make sure you enter the correct property number so the payment goes to the right account.
What happens if my payment fails after I've already been charged a fee?
If your payment is declined but you were charged a processing fee, contact the payment processor through SDTTC.com to request a refund of the fee. The county does not refund processing fees — only the payment processor can do that. Keep your confirmation or error message to show the processor what happened.