Property tax defaults down in 2013

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan
McAllister said Tuesday he's sending out fewer property tax default notices this
year than he did in 2012.

The notices will go to property owners who failed to make one or both of
their 2012-13 tax installments, he said.

According to McAllister, 24,905 default notices will go out beginning
this week, compared to 28,089 last year. The county sent out more than 980,000
bills last September.

“These numbers are a positive indication that our economy is showing
improvement,” McAllister said. “More taxpayers are paying what they owe on
time and that is a wonderful sign.”

The total amount due is more than $151 million, out of a total expected
take by the county of $4.57 billion, he said.

The bills being sent out by the Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office
contains a 10 percent surcharge to each unpaid installment and an added penalty
of 1.5 percent per month — or 18 percent per year, which accrues until the
bill is paid in full.

By law, the county is allowed to sell any or all portions of properties
that have been in default for five years.