Free calculator
Orange County Property Tax Calculator
Buying in Orange County? Estimate the annual property tax at the new price, the supplemental bills that arrive after closing, and the county transfer tax, so none of them surprise you.
Estimated annual property tax
—
Enter a purchase price to see the estimate.
- General levy and voter-approved debt
- —
- Fixed charges
- —
- Supplemental bill (current tax year)
- —
- Supplemental bill (next tax year)
- —
- Documentary transfer tax (usually the seller)
- —
Estimates only, for planning. Your county assessor and tax collector determine actual values and bills; confirm with them, your escrow officer or a tax professional. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.
How the calculator works
The annual bill
Under Proposition 13 a home's assessed value is reset to its purchase price, then rises by no more than 2% a year. The tax is the assessed value, less any exemption, times the total rate, plus fixed charges such as Mello-Roos special taxes. The 1% general levy is the floor; voter-approved debt pushes most Orange County rates a little higher, so enter the total rate from a tax bill for the area if you have it. The homeowners' exemption lowers the assessed value by $7,000 for an owner-occupied principal residence.
Supplemental bills
The regular bill for a tax year is based on the value on January 1, so after you buy, the county sends supplemental bills for the difference between your price and the seller's assessed value. Each bill is prorated from the first day of the month after closing to the end of the tax year on June 30. A closing between January 1 and May 31 also produces a second, full-year supplemental bill for the next tax year, because that year's regular bill was set on the old value. A closing in June produces one full-year bill. If your price is below the seller's value, you get a refund instead.
Documentary transfer tax
Orange County charges $0.55 for each $500 of value or fraction of $500, which is $1.10 per $1,000, on the price minus any existing loan the buyer assumes. Escrow confirms the exact figure. See our guide to Orange County closing costs for the other line items.
This is general information, not tax advice. Sources: Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector, supplemental tax computation; State Board of Equalization, Publication 29; Orange County Assessor, homeowners' exemption.
Frequently asked questions
How much are property taxes in Orange County?
The general levy is 1% of the assessed value, which for a recent purchase is the price. Your bill adds voter-approved debt for schools and other agencies, plus fixed charges such as Mello-Roos special taxes, so the total rate is usually somewhat above 1% and varies by location. Your bill shows the exact rate and charges.
What is a supplemental property tax bill?
When you buy, the assessor reassesses the home to the purchase price. Until the regular annual bill reflects the new value, the county sends supplemental bills for the difference between the new value and the previous owner's value, prorated from the first day of the month after the change in ownership. Closings from January 1 through May 31 usually produce two supplemental bills; closings from June 1 through December 31 produce one.
Does my lender pay the supplemental bill?
Usually not. Supplemental bills go to the owner, and the Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector notes they cannot be billed to a lender, even if your loan has an impound account. Set the money aside after closing.
Who pays the documentary transfer tax in Orange County?
Orange County charges $1.10 per $1,000 of the price ($0.55 per $500 or fraction), excluding any existing loan the buyer takes over. By local custom the seller usually pays it, but the purchase agreement decides.
When are Orange County property taxes due?
The first installment of the annual bill is due November 1 and late after December 10; the second is due February 1 and late after April 10. Supplemental bills have their own due dates based on when they are mailed.