Can I pay Los Angeles County property taxes in installments?
Yes, but the available arrangement depends on your bill. Annual Secured Property Tax Bills are payable in two installments. The County also links to a monthly automatic payment service, while separate Four-Pay and Five-Pay plans apply to qualifying escape assessments or defaulted taxes.
These options have different eligibility rules and deadlines. Paying part of a bill does not automatically establish a payment plan or prevent penalties on the unpaid balance.
Independent information: This website is not affiliated with Los Angeles County or its payment providers. We do not accept payments, enroll taxpayers in plans, or determine eligibility.
Choose the Option That Matches Your Bill
| Option | When it may apply | Main distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Two annual installments | An Annual Secured Property Tax Bill. | The bill already contains two scheduled installments. |
| Monthly automatic payments | A property and bill accepted by the County-linked provider. | Requires enrollment with an outside payment service. |
| Partial payments | An Annual Secured Property Tax balance you cannot pay in full. | Reduces the balance but does not extend the deadline. |
| Four-Pay Plan | An eligible prior-year escape assessment. | Requires an application and timely opening payment. |
| Five-Pay Plan | Eligible tax-defaulted property. | Covers redemption of defaulted taxes, with ongoing plan obligations. |
The County's statement that current-year annual taxes are not eligible for its payment plans refers to the formal Four-Pay and Five-Pay arrangements. It does not remove the annual bill's two installments or the separately listed monthly payment service.
Pay an Annual Secured Bill in Two Installments
The Treasurer and Tax Collector's secured property tax guidance lists the regular annual schedule:
- First installment: Due November 1, with a regular delinquency date of December 10.
- Second installment: Due February 1, with a regular delinquency date of April 10.
If a delinquency date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or County holiday, it moves to the next business day. Follow the dates and payment instructions on your current bill.
You may pay each installment separately or pay both together. No payment-plan application is needed to use these two installments.
This schedule concerns Annual Secured Property Taxes. Supplemental and unsecured bills have their own instructions and deadlines.
Use the County-Linked Monthly Automatic Payment Service
The County's Payment Options page lists Monthly Automatic Payments through Easy Smart Pay, an independent provider that processes payments on your behalf.
Begin with that official County link and review the provider's enrollment terms. Have your Assessor's Identification Number (AIN) available and confirm:
- Whether your bill is eligible and when enrollment can begin.
- The monthly amount, first withdrawal date, and payment schedule.
- Any fees for the selected payment method.
- When the provider will remit the tax payment to the County.
- What happens if a withdrawal fails or you cancel enrollment.
Confirm how any approaching installment deadline will be covered rather than assuming that signing up immediately satisfies the bill.
For provider questions, the County lists support@easysmartpay.net.
What if You Can Only Pay Part of an Installment?
The County's secured property tax FAQ states that partial payments are accepted for Annual Secured Property Taxes. Paying part reduces the outstanding balance, but penalties apply to the amount remaining unpaid after the applicable delinquency date.
A partial payment is not approval to postpone the rest. If you need a longer arrangement, check the options for your bill before the deadline; do not assume a series of smaller payments creates an interest-free monthly plan.
Four-Pay Plan for Eligible Escape Assessments
An escape assessment corrects taxable value omitted from an earlier assessment roll. The County's installment plan page describes a Four-Pay Plan for qualifying prior-year escape taxes over $500, provided the plan begins before the escape bill becomes delinquent.
The published Four-Pay application (PDF) describes an initial payment of at least 20 percent plus an application fee, followed by payments over the next four years. Use the application linked from the County's plan page to confirm current amounts and dates.
You must also keep current taxes and plan payments up to date. Failure to meet the terms can restore penalties to the original delinquency date and make the remaining bill payable.
Current-year Annual Secured and Supplemental Secured Property Taxes do not qualify for this Four-Pay Plan. An additional bill is not necessarily an escape assessment; check its label and ask the Tax Collector if unclear.
Five-Pay Plan for Eligible Defaulted Taxes
The Five-Pay Plan applies to eligible defaulted taxes. The County lists eligibility windows of less than three years in default for vacant residential lots and nonresidential commercial property, and less than five years for residential or agricultural property. Ask the Tax Collector to confirm eligibility for your parcel.
The Five-Pay application (PDF) requires an opening payment of at least 20 percent of the redemption amount plus an application fee. Interest continues on the unpaid balance. Subsequent annual plan payments and current property taxes must also be paid as required.
Missing either obligation can cause the plan to default. Simply submitting an application does not establish that a plan is open.
Confirm Eligibility and Payment Instructions Before Starting
For a Four-Pay or Five-Pay request, have the AIN, bill type, tax year, balance, and delinquency or default information available. Confirm the application, opening payment, fees, later payments, and permitted payment method. If you have a mortgage, review the proposed arrangement with your lender as directed by the plan application.
For County plan questions, use Public Inquiries or call 213-974-2111. If your bill is unsecured, use Unsecured Public Inquiries or 213-893-7935 to check the applicable rules.
For broader billing information, see our Los Angeles County Property Tax page. Follow the current bill and official plan terms; applications, payments, and documents submitted to this website do not reach the County.