Annual Report 2020 -2021

How Tax Bills Are Calculated
After the Assessor determines the assessed value of each assessable
property in the County, the Finance Agency calculates and issues
property tax bills in early October. The property tax bill includes a
one percent property tax rate and the amount necessary to pay a city
or school’s annual payment on general obligation bonds, special
fees, and other bonded indebtedness imposed by public agencies and
approved by the voters. Property tax revenue supports K-12 school
and community college districts, as well as local government agencies,
including cities, the county, and special districts. Property tax
revenue is divided among the taxing agencies. The Redevelopment
Successor Agencies continue to receive a portion of property taxes
to pay outstanding debt. The accurate, consistent, and fair valuation
of property creates the foundation that supports the delivery of vital
public services provided by local governments. The Assessor’s Office
does not calculate or collect taxes, nor does the Assessor forecast or
allocate tax revenues. For information regarding the collection and
allocation of property taxes, please contact the Department of Tax
and Collections (DTAC), formally the Tax Collector, at (408) 808-
7900, the Controller at (408) 299-5200, or online at www.scctax.org.
Total collected for the 1% general
property tax plus all other special
assessments for fiscal year
2019-2020 is $5,556,683,784.
Largest Taxpayers *
Taxpayer
Property
Taxes Paid
Google Inc. $97,106,543
Apple Computer Inc. $66,038,439
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. $62,177,596
Cisco Technology Inc. $18,094,468
Westfield Malls $14,729,678
Applied Materials Inc. $12,642,015
Intel Corporation $12,133,857
Jay Paul Company $11,752,181
Lockheed Martin $10,893,328
Essex Portfolio LP $10,529,060
*Largest taxpayers on the 2019-20
secured tax roll, includes local and state
assessees. Source: Santa Clara County
Tax Collector, July 2020
Following acquisition of multiple properties in San Jose and
development in Mountain View in 2018, Google soared to the
top of the list of the County’s largest property taxpayers.
Santa Clara County Average Property Tax Revenue Allocation 2020-2021
*The County Assessor’s Office does not calculate taxes or allocate tax revenues.
Cities 14%
Special Districts 6%
K-12 Public Schools 44%
Redevelopment Trust 11%
County 18%
Community College 7%
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Santa Clara County Annual Report 2020