Before Supervisor Simitian encouraged Santa Clara County to "do the right thing," a taxpayer who paid less than the total amount of property tax owed, received the payment back with a 10% penalty, plus any applicable fees and charges on the full amount of the now delinquent tax bill. The County now accepts partial property tax payments and the late fee applies to the unpaid balance, allowing people to make progress even when they can’t pay their whole bill.
