What SDTTC is and how online payment works
SDTTC stands for San Diego Tax Collector, the office that collects property taxes in San Diego County. Their online payment system lets you pay your property tax bill from your computer or phone without visiting an office or mailing a check. You go to their website, enter your property information, and pay by bank transfer or credit card.
The system is run directly by the county, not a third-party payment processor. That means the money goes straight to the Tax Collector's office, and your payment is recorded in their system the same day you submit it (for bank transfers) or within one business day (for card payments).
You do not need to create an account or register ahead of time. Each time you pay, you enter your property details fresh — either your assessor's parcel number (APN) or your mailing address — and the system pulls up what you owe.
Key Takeaways
- SDTTC's online payment system accepts bank transfers and credit or debit cards, and processes most payments the same day.
- You will need either your assessor's parcel number or the mailing address on your property tax bill to look up what you owe.
- Credit card payments carry a convenience fee (the percentage varies by card type), while bank transfers do not.
- Payments made online count as received on the date you submit them, so paying before the due date protects you from late penalties.
- If your bill shows a balance from a previous year, you can pay current and past amounts together in one transaction.
What information you need before you start
Gather your property tax bill or a document that shows either your assessor's parcel number (APN) or your full mailing address. The APN is a unique identifier for your property and is printed on every tax bill — it usually appears near the top. If you do not have your bill, you can look up your APN on the San Diego County Assessor's website using your address.
You will also need to know the amount you want to pay. The SDTTC system shows you what is owed once you enter your property information, so you can pay the full amount due, a partial payment, or a specific dollar amount. There is no minimum payment required.
Have a bank account or credit card ready. If you are paying by bank transfer, you will need your routing number and account number. If you are paying by card, have your card number, expiration date, and CVV ready.
Step-by-step process for paying online
Go to the San Diego Tax Collector's website and look for the "Pay Your Bill Online" or "Online Payment" link. Click it to reach the payment portal. You will see a screen asking you to enter your property information — either your APN or your mailing address. Type in whichever one you have and click search or submit.
The system will display your account, showing the current balance due and any past-due amounts. Review the total to make sure it matches your bill. Then select the payment method: bank transfer or credit/debit card. If you want to pay less than the full amount, enter the dollar amount in the field provided.
If you chose bank transfer, enter your routing number and account number. If you chose a card, enter your card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing zip code. Double-check all numbers before proceeding. Then click the button to submit your payment. You will see a confirmation number on screen — write it down or take a screenshot.
The system will send you a confirmation email to the address you provided (or to the address on file with the county). Keep that email as your receipt. Your payment will appear in the Tax Collector's records within one business day.
Fees and what they cost
Bank transfers have no fee. The money comes directly from your checking or savings account, and the county receives the full amount you send.
Credit and debit card payments carry a convenience fee set by the payment processor. The fee is a percentage of the amount you pay and varies depending on the card type — Visa and Mastercard typically have one rate, American Express another, and Discover another. The system shows you the exact fee before you confirm the payment, so you know the total cost before you commit.
If you are paying a large bill, the fee can add up. For example, a 2.5% fee on a $5,000 payment is $125. In that case, a bank transfer saves you money. For smaller bills, the fee may be worth the convenience of using a card.
What happens after you pay
Your payment is recorded in the Tax Collector's system immediately (for bank transfers) or by the next business day (for cards). You will receive a confirmation email with your transaction details and a receipt number. Keep this email for your records.
If you paid the full amount due, your account will show a zero balance within one to two business days. If you made a partial payment, the remaining balance will be shown on your next bill or when you log back into the system to check your account.
Payments made before the due date shown on your bill prevent late penalties from being added. If you pay after the due date, the late penalty (if any) will be calculated and added to your next bill. Paying online does not remove a penalty that has already been assessed — you would need to contact the Tax Collector's office to discuss penalty relief, which is a separate process.
Troubleshooting common payment problems
If the system cannot find your property after you enter your APN or address, double-check that you typed it correctly. An APN with a typo will not match any account. If you are unsure of your APN, use the San Diego County Assessor's lookup tool on their website to find it. If your address is new or recently changed, the Tax Collector's system may not have updated yet — call their office to confirm your account is in the system.
If your payment is rejected, the most common reason is incorrect bank account or card information. Check that your routing number, account number, and card details are typed exactly as they appear on your documents. Some banks flag online tax payments as unusual activity — if your payment fails, contact your bank to ask whether they blocked it, then try again.
If you submitted a payment but do not see a confirmation email within a few hours, check your spam folder. If it is not there, log back into the SDTTC system and search your property again — your payment may have gone through even if the email was delayed. If the payment does not appear in your account within two business days, contact the Tax Collector's office with your confirmation number.
When to pay and how to stay on time
Property taxes in San Diego County are due on April 10 and December 10 each year. If you do not pay by that date, a late penalty is added to your account. Paying online before midnight on the due date counts as on-time payment, so you do not have to worry about mail delivery delays.
If you receive a bill that shows a past-due balance from a previous year, that amount is also due. You can pay current and past amounts together in one transaction through the online system. Paying the past-due amount stops additional penalties from accruing.
If you pay in installments, each payment must be made by the due date to avoid a penalty on that installment. The online system does not set up automatic recurring payments — you have to pay each installment manually when it is due.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up automatic payments so I do not have to pay every year?
The SDTTC online system does not offer automatic recurring payments. You must log in and pay manually each time a bill is due. Some banks offer bill-pay services that let you schedule payments in advance — you could set a reminder in your bank's system to pay your property tax bill on a certain date each year.
What if I pay online but my check is already in the mail?
Contact the Tax Collector's office right away with your online payment confirmation number. They can flag your account to watch for the check and return it to you, or they can credit it to next year's bill. Do not ignore the check — if both the online payment and the check are processed, you will have an overpayment that has to be refunded.
Is the SDTTC website secure for entering my bank account number?
The SDTTC payment system uses encryption to protect your information during transmission. However, you should always verify you are on the official San Diego Tax Collector website before entering sensitive information. Type the URL directly into your browser rather than clicking a link in an email, and look for "https" and a lock icon in the address bar.
Can I get a receipt or proof of payment after I pay online?
Yes. The system shows a confirmation number on screen immediately after you submit payment, and sends a confirmation email with your receipt. You can also log back into the SDTTC system anytime and search your property to see your payment history and current balance.
What if I overpay by accident?
If you pay more than you owe, the Tax Collector's office will issue a refund or credit the overpayment to your next bill. Contact their office with your confirmation number to request which option you prefer. Refunds typically take two to four weeks to arrive by mail.