Revenue Accounting
The Revenue Accounting division is responsible for the billing, collection, and processing of Secured, Supplemental, and Unsecured property taxes for the County. This division is responsible for the tracking and accounting of delinquent tax payments and, under the direction of the Board of Supervisors, is responsible for selling delinquent properties at tax sale.
In addition to property taxes, the Revenue Accounting Division collects the County’s Cannabis Business Tax, Transient Occupancy Tax, and the Business Improvement Area assessment. The Cannabis Business tax program imposes tax on the privilege of cultivating, dispensing, and manufacturing cannabis within the unincorporated areas of the County. The Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is levied on short-term occupancy at lodging facilities in the unincorporated areas of the count, and operators that report taxable short-term rents in excess of $350,000, are also assessed the Business Improvement Area assessment.
The Revenue Accounting division also collects other types of debts owed to the County through its Central Collections unit, as well as payments for parking citations issued from various agencies within Sonoma County.
Ownership Changes Backlog
Due to an extraordinary number of ownership changes, the Sonoma County Assessor’s Office is experiencing a significant backlog processing these changes. If you received a tax bill for a property you no longer own, please write “sold” on the bill and return it to our office. Should you need additional assistance please reach out to our office at (707) 565-2281 or taxcollector@sonoma-county.org
California Mortgage Relief Program and Property Tax Assistance
$1 billion in mortgage relief funds are now available to California homeowners who have fallen behind on housing payments or property taxes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds do not have to be paid back and the program is free.
The California Mortgage Relief Program is funded by the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act’s Homeowners Assistance Fund. It was designed to provide assistance to qualified homeowners who have fallen behind on their housing payments or property tax payments due to pandemic-related financial hardships. The program is provided to homeowners through the CalHFA Homeowner Relief Corporation.
Please review our California Mortgage Relief Program and Property Tax Assistance page or CaMortgagerelief.org for more information.
Property Tax Postponement
The State of California offers a program that allows homeowners who are seniors, are blind, or have a disability to defer current-year property taxes on their principal residence if they meet certain criteria including 40 percent equity in the home and meet an income threshold qualification outlined in the program information which can be found at the link below.
Calamity Related Property Tax FAQs
The Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector and Clerk-Recorder-Assessor have released a joint Frequently Asked Questions document to address concerns related to the reassessment and taxation of properties damaged by a natural disaster. Please review our Calamity Reassessment FAQs for more information.