Every fall, a few weeks after the leaves start turning along the Sacramento River, I start getting the same kind of text from clients: “Hey Justin, I just got a tax bill I didn’t expect. Is this right?”
Most of the time, it is. Property tax bills in Shasta County follow a predictable calendar, but if you bought a home in the last year or two, the paperwork can be confusing. So here’s what to expect from your 2026–27 bill, what’s on it, the dates that matter, and a couple of ways to make sure you’re not paying more than you should.
One quick note before we dig in: I’m a REALTOR, not a tax advisor. Please confirm the details for your situation with the Shasta County Tax Collector, the Assessor’s Office, or a tax professional.
When Your 2026–27 Shasta County Tax Bill Arrives
The Shasta County Tax Collector mails annual secured property tax bills once a year, by November 1. Many owners see theirs sometime in October.
You’ll get one bill with two installment stubs. It’s addressed to the owner of record as of the January 1 lien date, so if you bought this year, don’t assume it will find you.
If you haven’t received your annual bill by November 10, call the Tax Collector’s office. Have your assessment number handy. Not receiving a bill doesn’t excuse a late payment, so it’s worth the phone call.
The Deadlines That Matter for 2026–27
Here’s the calendar for the 2026–27 tax year:
- First installment: due November 1, 2026, and delinquent after 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2026
- Second installment: due February 1, 2027, and delinquent after April 10, 2027. Because April 10, 2027 falls on a Saturday, California law moves the deadline to 5 p.m. on the next business day, which should be Monday, April 12, 2027. Confirm with the Tax Collector as the date gets closer.
- June 30, 2027: anything still unpaid by 5 p.m. goes into tax default, and additional penalties and interest start adding up
You can pay both installments at once by the December deadline if you’d like. You can’t pay the second installment before the first.
Late penalties are steep. A late first installment gets a 10% penalty. A late second installment gets 10% plus a $10 cost. On a $2,000 installment, that’s $200 or $210 gone for no good reason.
How to Pay Without Getting Hit by a Penalty
You have a few options:
- Online, by e-check or credit/debit card through the county’s payment site. Online payments are accepted until 11:59 p.m. Pacific on the delinquency date. There are processing fees for card and e-check payments.
- By phone, through the county’s automated payment line
- In person at the Tax Collector’s office in Redding, where they accept cash, check, money order, and major cards
- By mail, as long as the payment is postmarked by the delinquency date
That postmark detail trips people up. Per the county, metered mail, pre-canceled stamps, kiosk stamps, and many bank bill-pay services don’t get a USPS postmark. If you’re mailing close to the deadline, use a regular stamp at the counter, or just pay online.
Why New Buyers Get Supplemental Tax Bills
This is the one that surprises people most, so I always bring it up with my buyers before closing.
When a Redding home changes hands or new construction is finished, California law requires the county to reassess it right away. The Assessor figures out the difference between your purchase price and the old assessed value on the roll. Then you get a supplemental tax bill for that difference, prorated for the rest of the tax year.
A few things to know:
- Supplemental bills are in addition to your regular annual bill. Both have to be paid by their own deadlines.
- They’re mailed directly to you, not to your lender. Even if you have an impound account, the county’s guidance is that it’s your responsibility to contact your lender and figure out who’s paying it.
- Penalties apply if it’s paid late, and the Tax Collector can’t waive them because of a mix-up between you and your lender.
- Supplemental bills arrive throughout the year and have their own due dates printed on them.
- Timing matters. If you bought between January 1 and May 31, you may get two supplemental bills: one for the rest of that tax year and one for the full following year.
If the home was reassessed lower than the old value, you may get a refund instead. But your annual bill still has to be paid in full as billed.
What’s Actually on Your Bill
Your annual bill shows your assessed value, any exemptions, the amount due for each installment, and a breakdown of what you’re paying for.
That breakdown usually includes:
- The 1% general levy. This is the base property tax rate under Prop 13, applied to your assessed value.
- Voter-approved special taxes and bonds, like school or local bonds, which can push your total rate above 1%
- City or district special assessments and direct charges, which depend on where your home sits
That’s why two similar homes in different parts of Shasta County can have different bills. The Auditor-Controller’s office handles questions about special assessments and tax rates.
Also check for a “Prior Years Taxes Unpaid” notice on your bill. That means there are older delinquent taxes on the property that aren’t included in this bill.
About impound accounts: if your lender collects property taxes with your monthly mortgage payment, it usually pays your annual bill directly. It’s still a good idea to look up your parcel after each deadline and confirm the payment posted.
Two Ways to Lower Your Bill: The Homeowners’ Exemption and Prop 8
The Homeowners’ Exemption. If the home is your primary residence as of January 1, you can take $7,000 off your assessed value. At the 1% base rate, that’s about $70 a year in savings, a little more in areas with voter-approved bonds. It isn’t a lot, but it adds up and you only file once, as long as you keep owning and living in the home.
To get the full exemption for 2027–28, file with the Shasta County Assessor by 5 p.m. on February 15, 2027. That date lands on Presidents’ Day this year, so I’d get it in early. Claims filed between February 16 and December 10 get 80% of the exemption. New buyers can also claim it on a supplemental assessment if they file within 30 days of the Notice of Supplemental Assessment.
Prop 8 decline-in-value review. If your home’s market value on January 1 was lower than its assessed value, you may qualify for a temporary reduction. Start by asking the Assessor’s Office for an Assessment Review Request. In Shasta County, requests received between July 1 and November 30 are considered for the current tax year, and the value is based on comparable sales as of January 1.
If you and the Assessor can’t agree, the formal appeal window with the Clerk of the Board is July 2 through November 30. For 2026–27, that means Monday, November 30, 2026. The county lists a $263 non-refundable fee per application and requires a wet-ink signature. Filing a review or appeal doesn’t delay your tax due dates, so keep paying on time either way.
A Quick Word for Downsizers
If you’re 55 or older, severely disabled, or lost a home to wildfire or another disaster, Prop 19 may let you carry your current taxable value to a replacement home. For most people, the replacement has to be bought within two years of selling. I covered this in more detail in my earlier Prop 19 post for Shasta County homeowners, so I’ll keep it short here. If you’re thinking about a move, let’s talk before you list.
Questions About Your Shasta County Tax Bill?
If your 2026–27 bill arrives and something doesn’t look right, or you’re buying in Redding and want to know what to budget for taxes, give me a call. I can’t give tax advice, but I’m happy to help you figure out which office to call, what to ask, and what’s normal for the home you’re looking at. That’s what neighbors are for.
530-953-1100 · jcreteam.com/contact · [email protected]
About Justin Cartwright — Justin Cartwright is a third-generation Shasta County resident and licensed REALTOR® with Waterman Real Estate in Redding, CA. He and the JCRE Team specialize in helping buyers and sellers navigate the Redding and greater Shasta County market with honest guidance and genuine care. DRE License #02093872 · Waterman Real Estate, 1760 Churn Creek Rd, Redding, CA 96002 · 530-953-1100.
Sources: Shasta County Tax Collector (Secured Taxes, Supplemental Taxes, Tax Payment Dates, Property Taxes pages); Shasta County Assessor (Exemptions, Current Assessment, “Facts About Proposition 8 Assessment Relief”); Shasta County Clerk of the Board (Assessment Appeals); California Revenue and Taxation Code §2619; California State Board of Equalization Publication 800-6 and Proposition 19 guidance.
