Falling behind on property taxes is more common than you think
First, take a breath. Falling behind on property taxes happens — after a job loss, a fixed income that didn't stretch, a bill that got lost in a busy year, or a house you inherited with taxes already owing. A missed property-tax payment is not the same as losing your home tomorrow, and you have more options than the next threatening letter suggests.
The earlier you act, the cheaper and easier it is to fix. Penalties and fees build up the longer the taxes stay unpaid, so the bill you owe today is the smallest it will ever be from here. The good news is that at nearly every step you can catch up, work out a plan with the county, or sell the house and let the sale pay off what you owe. Let's walk through what's actually happening and what you can do.
How California property taxes work
In California, property taxes are billed in two installments each fiscal year, and each installment has a due date and a delinquent date:
- The first installment is due November 1 and becomes delinquent if unpaid after December 10.
- The second installment is due February 1 and becomes delinquent if unpaid after April 10.
- Each late installment carries a 10% penalty on the amount owed, plus additional administrative costs.
Miss one of those delinquent dates and the penalties start. Miss them for long enough and the property can become what the county calls "tax-defaulted" — a status that opens the door to a county tax sale. So the first thing to know is which date you're past and how much you owe today.
What "tax-defaulted" means
If property taxes are still unpaid after June 30, the property becomes tax-defaulted. From that point, additional penalties and fees build up every month the taxes stay unpaid — so the amount you owe keeps growing the longer you wait.
After five years of default, the county can sell the property at a tax sale. In Kern County, this process is handled by the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector. Once that five-year window closes, the equity you've built can be at risk — so the timeline below is the clock you're racing.
You can check your exact balance and status directly with the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector — that's the number to call for the precise amount and any pending sale date. The figures you see there are the real ones to plan around, not an estimate or a guess.
Ways to fix it
You have several paths, and more than one may be open to you depending on how far behind you are:
Redeem the property by paying in full
Pay the full amount of back taxes, penalties, and fees to redeem the property and clear the default. This stops the clock entirely and keeps the house yours — if you can come up with the full amount.
Ask about an installment plan
The Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector may offer a payment plan to let you catch up over time. Ask them directly about the current rules and whether your situation qualifies — the earlier you ask, the more likely it is to help.
Sell the house
Sell the house and let the sale pay off the back taxes. The taxes are a lien on the title, so the title company pays them out of your sale proceeds at closing — you keep whatever equity is left after the taxes (and any mortgage) are settled.
Why selling before a tax sale protects you
The biggest reason to sell before a tax sale is simple: you keep your equity. At a county tax sale, the property can sell for less than it's worth — and you can lose years of equity along with the house. You don't set the price, and once it's sold you usually can't undo it.
When you sell on your own timeline, you set the closing date and the taxes get paid out of the sale at closing. Anything left after the taxes and your mortgage are settled stays yours. You walk away with cash and a clean slate instead of watching a tax sale take the house — and the equity with it.
How Bakersfield House Buyers helps
If a tax sale is coming and a traditional sale won't move fast enough, here's what working with us looks like:
- We buy houses with back property taxes — you don't have to pay the taxes first.
- The title company pays the taxes from your sale proceeds at closing, out of what you're already walking away with.
- We buy the house as-is, so you skip repairs, cleanup, and showings.
- Zero fees and zero commissions — the offer is what you see.
- We can close fast when a sale date is coming, so you don't lose the house to the county.
Behind on property taxes? Get a cash offer
Tell us about the property and your timeline. We'll get a fair, no-obligation cash offer back to you quickly — and let the sale pay off what you owe.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell my house if I owe back property taxes?
Yes. You can sell a house with back property taxes. The taxes are a lien on the title, so they get paid out of the sale proceeds at closing — the title company handles it, and whatever is left after the taxes (and your mortgage, if any) is yours to keep.
How long before Kern County sells my house for taxes?
If property taxes stay unpaid after June 30, the property becomes tax-defaulted. After about five years in default, the county can sell the property at a tax sale. That five-year window is your runway to act — but penalties and fees build up every month the taxes stay unpaid, so it's cheaper to move sooner.
Who pays the back taxes when I sell?
When you sell, the back taxes are paid from the sale proceeds at closing by the title or escrow company. You don't have to come up with the cash first — the sale pays the debt, and you keep whatever equity is left after the taxes and your mortgage are settled.
What if I owe more in taxes and mortgage than the house is worth?
If you're underwater, selling may still be an option, but you may need to work out the shortfall with your lender or the Treasurer-Tax Collector. Talk to a California attorney or a housing counselor about your situation, and check with the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector about your exact amount and options.
Do I have to pay the taxes before I list the house?
No. You can sell the house as-is with the taxes unpaid and let the sale pay them off at closing. You don't need to catch up the taxes out of pocket to sell — the title company pays the lien from your sale proceeds.
More guides
← All Seller's GuidesThis guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Check your exact amount and dates with the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector.