Homeowners exemption
Who may qualify
Owners whose home is their principal residence on January 1.
Official source. Verified .
Kern County property tax due dates 2026
✓ Verified — Last verified
Due in 8 days
First secured installment: (statutory)
Not tax or legal advice; confirm with your county. Dates are shown as published by the source.
Installment timeline
- First secured installment
statutory. Official source
- Second secured installment
statutory. Official source
Only announced dates are included, with a reminder seven days before. Re-download after dates change.
How to pay
Fees
Credit/debit cards: 2.19%, minimum $2.00. Electronic check: no processing fee.
Official source. Verified .
Late payments and penalties
A late second installment incurs a 10% penalty plus $10 cost; the first installment also has a 10% penalty.
Official source. Verified .
Assessment appeals
Exemptions
Disabled home modification exclusion
Who may qualify
A disabled person permanently residing in the dwelling may qualify; the person need not own it. Other eligibility conditions apply.
Official source. Verified .
Disabled veterans exemption
Who may qualify
Qualified veterans rated 100% disabled or compensated at 100% due to service-connected unemployability, and qualifying unmarried surviving spouses, on a principal residence.
Official source. Verified .
County offices
Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector
collector
Official source. Verified .
Kern County Assessor-Recorder
assessor
Official source. Verified .
County notes
Second-installment deadline: April 12, 2027, under the county’s rule moving a weekend delinquency date to the next business day.
Official source. Verified .
For the full homeowners exemption, file January 1–February 15, or within 30 days of a supplemental assessment notice.
Official source. Verified .
When a delinquency date falls on a weekend or holiday, the county uses the next business day.
Official source. Verified .
Common questions
When is property tax due in Kern County?
First secured installment: November 1, 2026 (statutory). Second secured installment: February 1, 2027 (statutory).
Where can I pay Kern County property tax?
Use the official payment portal: https://www.kcttc.co.kern.ca.us/Payment/. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover
What is the Kern County appeal deadline?
November 30, 2026. Clerk of the Board, Assessment Appeals Board.
What happens if my Kern County payment is late?
A late second installment incurs a 10% penalty plus $10 cost; the first installment also has a 10% penalty.
Sources and verification
https://itsapps.kerncounty.com/clerk/minutes/bosagenda/2594776/Agenda.html
Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Adopted Budget to reflect final property tax assessment roll
Verified
https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/calendar.htm
§ 2605 Rev. & Tax. Code November 1 Property owners First installment of real property taxes and all taxes on personal property on the secured roll are due and payable.
Verified
https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/calendar.htm
§ 2606 Rev. & Tax. Code February 1 Property owners Second installment real property taxes due and payable.
Verified
https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/calendar.htm
§§ 2617 and 2704 Rev. & Tax. Code December 10 Property owners First installment of taxes on the secured roll, if unpaid, is delinquent at 5:00 p.m. or close of business day, whichever is later.
Verified
https://www.kcttc.co.kern.ca.us/index.cfm?fuseaction=kcttcinternet.showImportantDates
December 10 First installment payment deadline. A 10% penalty is added as of 5:00 p.m. (* If a delinquent date falls on a weekend or holiday, the delinquent date is the next business day.) February 1 Second installment due April 10 Second installment payment deadline. A 10% penalty plus $10.00 cost is added as of 5:00 p.m. (*)
Verified
https://www.kcttc.co.kern.ca.us/index.cfm?fuseaction=kcttcinternet.showImportantDates
April 10 Second installment payment deadline. A 10% penalty plus $10.00 cost is added as of 5:00 p.m. (*)
Verified
https://www.kerncounty.com/government/departments/assessor-recorder/property/exclusions-exemptions-property-tax-relief
To receive the full exemption, applicant must file with the Assessor's Office between January 1 and February 15, or within 30 days of a Notice of Supplemental Assessment.
Verified
https://www.kcttc.co.kern.ca.us/index.cfm?fuseaction=kcttcinternet.showImportantDates
If a delinquent date falls on a weekend or holiday, the delinquent date is the next business day.
Verified
https://www.kcttc.co.kern.ca.us/Payment/help.aspx
Payments by credit cards carrying the Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card insignias are accepted.
Verified
https://www.kcttc.co.kern.ca.us/Payment/help.aspx
A non-refundable Service Fee of 2.19% (minimum of $2.00) of the total charge will be charged on all credit and debit card usage. Payments made by Electronic Check (ACH) are not subject to convenience or processing fees.
Verified
https://www.kerncounty.com/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/5929/35779
July 2 – November 30 is the filing period for assessment appeals for the regular roll/lien date assessments.
Verified
https://www.kerncounty.com/government/board-of-supervisors/clerk-of-the-board/assessment-appeals
Assessment Appeals
Verified
https://www.kerncounty.com/government/departments/assessor-recorder/property/exclusions-exemptions-property-tax-relief
If you own a home and it is your principal place of residence on January 1, you may apply for an exemption of $7,000 from your assessed value.
Verified
https://www.kerncounty.com/government/departments/assessor-recorder/property/exclusions-exemptions-property-tax-relief
The disabled person must be a permanent resident, though not necessarily the owner of the dwelling.
Verified
https://www.kerncounty.com/government/departments/assessor-recorder/property/exclusions-exemptions-property-tax-relief
Disabled Veterans
Verified
https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/dv_exemption.htm
The Disabled Veterans' Exemption reduces the property tax liability on the principal place of residence of qualified veterans who, due to a service-connected injury or disease, have been rated 100% disabled or are being compensated at the 100% rate due to unemployability. An unmarried surviving spouse of a qualified veteran may also claim the exemption.
Verified
https://www.kcttc.co.kern.ca.us/index.cfm?fuseaction=kcttcinternet.showContacts
Treasurer/Tax Collector: Jordan Kaufman
Verified
https://www.kcttc.co.kern.ca.us/index.cfm?fuseaction=kcttcinternet.showContacts
(661) 868-3490
Verified
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