sdttc com

September 25, 2025

Everything You Need to Know About sdttc.com: San Diego’s Tax Hub Explained Simply

If you live in San Diego County and own property, sdttc.com is the site that decides whether your day ends in relief or a financial facepalm. It's where property taxes get paid, refunds get tracked, and auction lists quietly change hands. Simple on the surface, but packed with moving parts.


What is sdttc.com?

Sdttc.com is the official website for the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector. This office handles over $7 billion in property tax collection annually and manages more than $11 billion in local government investments. The site is a one-stop digital window for taxpayers—whether you’re checking a tax bill, paying online, or trying to recover unclaimed funds.


The Real Role of This Site

This isn't just a tax payment portal. It's part of the infrastructure keeping San Diego’s schools funded, city services running, and public projects alive. Miss a payment, and there’s a cascade: penalties, interest, even your property landing on a public auction list. That’s why sdttc.com isn’t just useful—it’s essential.


What You Can Actually Do on sdttc.com

Pay Property Taxes

Most people come here for one thing: paying property tax. Whether it's secured (your house or land), unsecured (a business asset, boat, or plane), or supplemental (new construction or property reassessment), it’s all here.

It breaks down like this:

  • Secured taxes attach directly to real estate. These are the standard annual bills.

  • Unsecured taxes hit movable property—like office equipment or aircraft.

  • Supplemental bills show up when property changes hands or undergoes improvements.

  • Escape bills cover previously missed taxes due to assessor errors.

No login is needed. Enter your parcel number, address, or bill number, and the bill appears. Add it to your cart and pay using e-check (free), debit, or credit card (fees apply).

Search Past Bills and Payment History

Need a record for your accountant or for your own sanity? The site lets you pull up prior-year tax records. The catch: it only shows paid secured taxes. Anything unpaid or unsecured? You'll need to request those separately.

Claim Unclaimed Refunds

Overpaid on taxes? Moved before receiving your refund check? That money may still be sitting in the county's coffers. There’s an entire section for unclaimed refunds. Type your name in, and if you’re lucky, you’ll find money waiting.

According to county reports, millions in unclaimed refunds stack up over the years—because people move, miss the notice, or simply forget.

Bid on Tax-Defaulted Property

Miss enough payments and your property might show up on the tax sale list. But this also means opportunity if you're on the buying side. The sdttc.mytaxsale.com subdomain hosts upcoming auctions. Each listing includes the minimum bid, APN, location, and auction rules.

Example: A vacant lot that owed $9,000 in taxes could start bidding at $13,500. If no one bids, it might go unsold—or be re-listed at a lower price later. Property flippers and developers watch this space closely.

Get Due Dates and Avoid Penalties

Tax deadlines in San Diego are strict:

  • First installment is due November 1, late after December 10.

  • Second installment is due February 1, late after April 10.

Each late installment adds a 10% penalty. Let it slide past June 30? Add another 1.5% per month + $33 redemption fee. That’s how a $5,000 bill balloons into a nightmare.


Why This Site Actually Works

No Login Wall

Unlike some government portals that demand a password, PIN, and two forms of ID just to get started, sdttc.com keeps it simple. Just search by parcel number or address.

Fast Payments, Minimal Breaches

Security matters when you’re moving thousands of dollars. Sdttc.com claims zero data breaches since going online. And payment processing runs through trusted merchant services with encryption in place.

Transparency Built In

All tax records shown are public by law. That means you can look up your own bill—or your neighbor’s. Want to know who’s behind on taxes in your area? The site won't hide it. That public access keeps the system accountable.


Potential Pitfalls

Foreign IP Access Blocked

Trying to pay your taxes from Bali? Think again. The site blocks payment processing from foreign countries. The workaround: mail a check or call their office. It’s a hassle for expats or international investors.

Partial Info on Older Bills

While recent bills are easy to find, older records—especially unpaid unsecured taxes—may not show up online. In those cases, you’ll need to submit a written request or call customer service.

No AutoPay

There’s no option to set recurring payments. Every year, you have to come back, search, and pay manually. Forget, and you’re stuck with late fees.


Real Use Case: How It Looks in Practice

Someone buys a house in San Diego in May. Come October, a supplemental bill arrives—an extra $1,800 they weren’t expecting. They visit sdttc.com, search by their new parcel number, find the bill, and pay with e-check.

Next April, they realize their neighbor got a refund last year. Curious, they search their name under Unclaimed Monies and find $64 from an overpayment in 2022. File a claim, attach ID, and 3–6 weeks later, they get a check.


Why This Matters Locally

San Diego County's Treasurer-Tax Collector isn’t just about property taxes. This office pools revenue from over 200 local government agencies—including schools, water districts, and city budgets. Mismanaging these funds would ripple across the entire region.

In 2025, longtime Treasurer Dan McAllister retired, after managing this system for two decades. A new appointee will carry the torch, keeping the digital side of tax collection running smoothly.


FAQ

Is sdttc.com a government website?

Yes. It’s the official site for the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector, although it uses a .com domain rather than .gov.

Can I pay my taxes from another country?

No. Payment processing is blocked from foreign IP addresses due to fraud prevention measures. You’ll need to mail your payment or call the office directly.

What payment methods are accepted?

E-check (free), debit card, and credit card. Service fees apply to card payments.

Are tax records on the site public?

Yes. You can look up any parcel’s tax record by address or parcel number.

What happens if I don’t pay on time?

You’ll be charged a 10% penalty per missed installment. If the balance remains unpaid after June 30, monthly interest kicks in, and the property could eventually be sold at auction.

Does the site send reminders?

Not automatically. You can sign up for email reminders through the county’s govdelivery system, but sdttc.com itself doesn’t push alerts.


Bottom Line

Sdttc.com is deceptively simple but massively important. It handles billions in revenue, processes hundreds of thousands of payments, and acts as the front line for local tax enforcement. Whether you're a homeowner, investor, or just someone trying to track down a refund, understanding how to use this site isn’t optional—it’s smart strategy.