TAX BILLS MAILED: Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector Lawrence L. Matheney announced that the Secured Property Tax Bills for the 2009/10 tax year are being mailed between October 8 and 13, 2009. Property owners who have not received the Fiscal Year 2009/10 secured property tax statement by October 19 should either telephone his office at (805) 654-3744, or send an Email request for a duplicate bill to HelpingHand@ventura.org. A “virtual bill” for each Ventura County taxable parcel is available online through the Tax Collector’s website: www.venturapropertytax.org

ONLINE PAYMENT FEES REDUCED: Mr. Matheney also announced that he has successfully negotiated reduced rates for the convenience fees charged by the processing company for both credit card and electronic check payment options. “I am pleased to be able to provide local property owners with a less expensive way to conveniently pay their property taxes,” said Matheney. “Paying taxes is seldom pleasant, but the sting can be reduced by treating people with respect, giving them reasonable payment choices, and making important information readily available.” The new rate for paying online with an electronic check is a flat $2, making it particularly inexpensive for those who want to pay multiple installments on-line. The credit card fee, which applies to all Internet, telephone and front counter credit card transactions, is down to 2.35%. Internet payments can be made from the Tax Collector’s website: www.venturapropertytax.org

The slumping real estate market has had a negative impact on this year’s tax roll. The total secured tax roll for 2009/2010 is $ 1,169,967,261, a 2.8% reduction from last year’s total. This translates into a drop of more than $33 million in local property tax revenue from the 2008/2009 year.

The FIRST INSTALL MENT of the 2009/10 secured property tax is due November 1, 2009, and can be paid without penalty as late as December 10, 2009. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. A payment drop box near the East entrance of the Hall of Administration at the Victoria Avenue County Government Center in Ventura will be available until MIDNIGHT on December 10, 2009.
Mailing a check with the payment stub remains an efficient way to pay your taxes. Payments postmarked on or before December 10, 2009 will be considered on time. Because timeliness of mailed payments is measured by the U.S. Postal Service cancellation mark, if you must wait until December 9 or 10, 2009, it is recommended that you take your payment into the Post Office and have it postmarked in your presence. State law requires that a 10% penalty be collected for all late payments.

Lawrence L. Matheney
Treasurer-Tax Collector
County of Ventura