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Supplemental Tax Bill Calculator
    
Help Topics
Searching Paying
 
How can I search for a bill?
There are four ways that you can search for a bill:
Each search method provides different features:
  •  Searching by Property Address
    You can enter a partial address, search through multiple cities, and retrieve a list of closely matching addresses and their associated ATN or File numbers. From this list you can click on an ATN or File number to see the bills associated with that number. Or you can click on the Next button to retrieve the next set of matching addresses - if any exist. If your search is too vague, the resulting search list may not contain your property - in which case you should refine your search.

  •  Searching by ATN
    You can enter a partial ATN (6 digits or more) to search for a list of matching ATNs. From this list you can click on one of the ATNs to see the secured bills associated with that ATN. Or you can click on the Next button to retrieve the next set of matching ATNs - if any exist. Or you can change the ATN being used in the search criteria and try a new search. When entering the ATN, you can include hyphens, replace hyphens with blanks, or remove the hyphens completely.

    Note that if you enter all 11 digits of an ATN, this will perform an exact-matching search instead of the partial match search just described.

    From the ATN Summary page, you can see the list of all bills that are payable over the Internet, as well as any current paid bills. Non-current bills or other bills that cannot be paid over the Internet can be seen by clicking on the Previous Years' Bills button.
    Note that some bills may not be visible on the Internet.

  •  Searching by File Number
    You cannot perform partial File Number searches. You must enter all 13 digits of the File number. If a match is found you are presented with the File Summary page where you can see the list of all bills that are payable over the Internet, as well as any current paid bills. Non-current bills or other bills that cannot be paid over the Internet can be seen by clicking on the Previous Years' Bills button. When entering the File Number, you can include hyphens, replace hyphens with blanks, or remove the hyphens completely.

  •  Searching by Bill Number
    If you have the bill number you can search for it directly. You must enter at least the first 11 digits of the bill number. You are not required to enter the check digit (12th digit) of the bill number for the search to work. If a match is found you are presented with the Bill Summary page that displays information about this bill. If you desire more detailed information on the taxing agencies and individual fees that contribute to the bill total you can click on the Additional Details button. This displays a pop-up window containing the bill details. Close that window to return to the Bill Summary screen. When entering the Bill Number, you can include hyphens, replace hyphens with blanks, or remove the hyphens completely.
 
How can I improve my searches?
Ways to improve the quality of searches include:
  • Fix typos. Many errors are the direct result of mis-typed names.
  • Keep Street Name and Type of Street separate. (e.g. 151 E Truxtun Ave would have '151 in the Street # field, 'East' in the Direction field, ‘Truxtun' in the Street Name field, and 'Avenue' in the Street Type field)
  • Make sure you have the correct city identified. When in doubt use the All Cities selection criteria. (e.g. California Ave is located in Bakersfield, Ridgecrest, Shafter and McFarland)
  • Abbreviations: Street names may be abbreviated -- Calif represents California.
  • New locations: In the rare occurrence that your property still does not display, it may be the result of a new listing within the county that has not been updated to the system, please call the office if you believe this may be the case.
In some circumstances, addresses may not be presented accurately. If you feel this is the case, please contact us at the office. See disclaimer.
 
Why can't I find some bills?
Once a secured bill becomes delinquent, that bill is wrapped up in a single 'redemption bill' - along with all other delinquent bills associated with the same ATN. Once this happens the original delinquent bills are no longer visible on the web or through IVR. Only the single redemption bill can be seen and paid.

Another reason that a bill cannot be readily found is if it has been reassigned to a different Assessor Tax Number during the year - or moved from an Assessor Tax Number to a File Number. In such cases, you should be able to find the bill by searching directly for that bill number rather than searching for the parent ATN or File Number.
 
Where do I find the Assessor Tax Number (ATN), File Number or Bill Number?
Secured bill showing the location of the Assessor Tax Number and Bill Number

If you have received a bill marked "Secured" or "Secured Supplemental", the Assessor Tax Number and Bill Number will be located directly below the bill's mailing address and on any detachable payment stubs. These bill types do not have File Numbers. See the sample bill at the right.

If you have received a bill marked "Unsecured" or Unsecured Supplemental", the File Number and Bill Number are located above the bill's mailing address and on any detachable payment stubs. These bill types do not have Assessor Tax Numbers.

 
Some bills cannot be paid over the web and must be paid by "secure funds". What are "secure funds"?
Secure funds include cash, money order, cashier check, or wire transfer. Click here to view the wire transfer registration form.
 
Why are recently paid bills still payable?
Bills paid online will not be marked as paid until the end of the following business day.
 
What is the maximum dollar amount of a single transaction?
Currently there is no maximum amount that can be paid in a single transaction. However, taxpayers with bills due that exceed $25,000 can save hundreds of dollars in Service Fees by using ACH or paying by wire. If you are interested in paying by wire, please review the "Wire Transfer Instructions" on our website. Click here to view the wire transfer instructions and registration form.
 
How many bills can be paid in a single transaction?
Up to 12 bills can be paid in a single transaction. It will not be possible to add more than 12 bills to the cart. If more than 12 bills need to be paid, more than one transaction will be required.
 
Why do I have to pay a Service Fee?
Merchants that consumers purchase goods and services from are charged a Service Fee when the consumer uses a credit card. Merchants pass that fee along to the consumer by raising prices on the goods and services purchased in order to cover the additional cost that is incurred from the credit card company. The county does not include a convenince fee in your printed property tax bill. If you elect to pay by credit card, the county needs to recover the Service Fee that will be charged by the credit card company in order to offset the cost of providing the service. Section 2511.1.d of the Revenue and Taxation code states "The county may impose a fee for the use of a credit card sufficient in amount to provide for the recovery of fees or discounts paid by the county under paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) and all other costs incurred by the county in providing for payment by credit. Fees imposed under this subdivision shall be approved by the board of supervisors."
 
Why was my credit card rejected?
Credit card verification is based on the billing address on record at your credit card financial institution. If this is different from the credit card billing address you entered on the payment screen, then the verification will fail. Make sure that the address you enter along with your credit card information is the billing address for that credit card - not necessarily the address of the properties for which you are paying the tax.

 
Why was my Discover card denied, I know I have the credit available?
Taxpayers using Discover may find that their Discover card is declined if their tax bill is less than $50.00 dollars. The reason is that Discover requires a minimum charge of $1.00 dollar on all transactions. A tax bill of less than $50.00 dollars will generate a Service Fee of less than the $1.00 dollar requirement set by Discover.

 
What happens to the personal information that I enter on this website?
The only personal information kept by Kern is information that is already maintained for property tax records. Payment information including credit card numbers, credit card billing address etc. are only kept long enough for the transaction to clear. This information is shared only with the credit card processing service for the sole purpose of verifying and approving payment. This information is not shared with anyone else and discarded when no longer needed for the payment and settlement process.

 
Terms and Conditions for Online Payments

Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector

On-line Tax Payment Terms and Conditions


In order to process payments using this website, you must read and agree to the following terms and conditions:


General Disclaimer:  


This website is for your use for property tax information and payment only. The information posted on this website is subject to change without notice. While the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector strives to provide accurate and up to date information, no warranty or guarantee is made as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website.  By agreeing to the terms stated below, you acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and you release the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector and/or any associated third parties from liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law. Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk. It is your responsibility to ensure that any payments made or information retrieved through this website meet your specific requirements.


Payment Methods and Fees:


Payments by credit cards carrying the Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card insignias are accepted. A non-refundable Service Fee of 2% of the total charge will be charged on all credit and debit card usage.  Payments returned by the bank FOR ANY REASON will incur a $27 returned payment fee. If your payment is returned after a penalty date, statutory penalties and/or interest will also be assessed.


Payments by Visa Consumer Debit Card and Electronic Check are accepted. Payments made by Electronic Check (ACH) are not subject to convenience or processing fees. However, in the event that your payment is returned unpaid for insufficient or uncollected funds, we may re-present your payment electronically. Payments returned by the bank FOR ANY REASON will incur an additional $27 returned payment fee. If your payment is returned after a penalty date, statutory interest and/or penalties will also be assessed.


Transaction Authorization for Electronic Check (ACH): 


Each time you initiate a transaction by Electronic Check, you authorize the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector to draw an automated clearing house (ACH) debit in your name on your bank account. This amount will be payable to the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector in the amount of the transaction and be deemed as a payment to the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector. The Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector will present this ACH transaction to your bank for immediate payment. If you inadvertently authorize duplicate transactions for any reason and those duplicate authorizations result in payments returned for insufficient or uncollected funds, an additional $27 returned payment fee for each duplicate transaction will be charged.


Accurate Personal Information Is The Responsibility Of The User: 


To make a payment on this website, you must provide personal information, including information relating to your bank or financial institution. This website contains examples of common payment forms and helpful narratives to aid you in providing correct payment information. However, the examples and narrative do not cover all possible payment forms. While we try to guide you, it is your sole responsibility to provide accurate payment information. If you are unsure about your payment information, contact your bank or financial institution to verify that information. Inaccurate payment information may cause your payment to be returned or rejected. Payments returned by the bank FOR ANY REASON will incur an additional $27 returned payment fee. If your payment is returned after a penalty date, statutory interest and/or penalties will also be assessed. 


Refund Information: 


Regardless of the method of payment, the County of Kern will refund overpayments and/or duplicate payments. You need to specify the Account Holder Name - or Credit Card Holder Name - and address correctly in order to receive a refund.  If you are demanding a refund claiming that someone else has used your credit card without authorization, then you will need to contact the credit card issuer and take appropriate action. Duplicate payments made by credit/debit card will have the duplicate payment credited back to the card used for the payment.  Duplicate payments made by electronic check will be refunded by the issuance of a physical check from the County.


No Liability For Website Downtime: 


The County of Kern will not waive delinquency penalties if a payment is received after the delinquent date due to this website experiencing down time or inoperability for any reason.


Hyperlinks To Other Websites:

This website includes hyperlinks to other sites on the World Wide Web that are neither controlled by, sponsored by, nor endorsed by the Kern County Treasurer and Tax Collector. These links are provided to give you access to other organizations whose expertise may be of value as an educational or reference tool or because they may be related to the mission of the Kern County Treasurer and Tax Collector. The Kern County Treasurer and Tax Collector takes no responsibility for the views, content, or accuracy of this information, nor does the Kern County Treasurer and Tax Collector endorse any content or products that may be advertised or noted on these hyperlinked web sites.




 
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