Body of News Release
San Rafael, CA – Property owners have until Friday, April 10, to pay the second installment of their 2025-26 property tax bill without penalty. Taxpayers are encouraged to pay early to avoid late penalties.
Payments sent by mail must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on or before April 10. Effective December 24, 2025, USPS clarified the definition of a “postmark.” For most mail, the postmark date is the date of the first automated processing scan at a USPS processing facility, not the date the item is dropped off, accepted at a retail counter, or the date printed on a postage meter or label.
USPS identifies several ways to obtain proof of the mailing date, including requesting a manual (local) postmark, obtaining a Postage Validation Imprint (PVI) at the retail counter, or using Certificate of Mailing, Certified Mail, or Registered Mail services.
Beginning in late December 2025, the U.S. Postal Service implemented changes to how postmarks are applied, making it especially important for property owners to mail their tax payments early. Under the new process, the postmark date reflects when mail is first processed at a postal processing facility, and many local post offices do not have processing equipment on-site. As a result, mail may not receive a same-day postmark unless a manual postmark is requested at the retail counter.
Property owners should not assume their payment will be postmarked on the day it is dropped off, stamped, or labeled. To avoid late penalties, the County of Marin recommends requesting a manual postmark at a post office retail counter or mailing payments early enough to ensure they are postmarked on or before April 10.
Marin County property tax payments can also be made online at www.marincounty.gov/taxbillonline or by phone at (800) 985-7277. The Tax Collector’s online and telephone payment service uses a secure portal, and there is no service fee when paying with an electronic check (e-check).
For convenience, an express tax payment drop box will be available under the Marin County Civic Center’s southern archway at 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, from Monday, April 6, through Friday, April 10, between 9 AM and 4:30 PM. The Tax Collector’s office hours are 9 AM to 4:30 PM, with extended hours on April 10 from 8 AM to 5 PM.
For questions about property tax billing, contact the Tax Collector’s Office at (415) 473-6133 or by email. Questions about assessed values are best answered by the County Assessor at (415) 473-7215.
Parcel tax exemption eligibility and deadlines vary by district. Forms and information are available at www.marincounty.gov/propertytaxexemptions or through the applicable district. Income-based parcel tax exemption applications must be submitted annually before tax bills are prepared.
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For disability accommodations, please phone (415) 473-6358 (voice), CA Relay 711, or e-mail County staff in advance of the event. The County will do its best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats, upon request.