San Francisco envelope goes directly to County’s bank, Oakland address goes to Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office
Alameda County property taxpayers are currently receiving their 2024-2025 property tax statements, which include confusing instructions on where to mail payments. The statements include a “Stop and Read” insert indicating that payments are to be made to a San Francisco P.O. Box, but the statement also included envelopes with the Treasurer/Tax Collector’s Oak Street address in Oakland. Not to worry. Both addresses are valid.
County Treasurer-Tax Collector Henry “Hank” Levy’s office explained that the special insert was created when the office ordered new envelopes with the County’s supplier. “The envelopes were sent directly to the mailing company by the printer; however, the printer did not change the address to the requested post office box, but instead printed the Oak Street address,” the notice stated.
The change of address to a San Francisco P.O. Box was initiated to “maximize technology, create greater efficiency and opportunity, and most importantly to create more revenue by sending checks directly to the bank’s San Francisco post office box.”
But don’t let that explanation confuse you. What’s important is that both addresses are correct. To pay your taxes, choose one of the following options:
- Use the enclosed envelope addressed to 1221 Oak Street, Room 131, Oakland, CA 94612.
- Use your own envelope, addressed to Alameda County, Secured Property Tax Payments, PO Box 45862, San Francisco, CA 94145-0862.
- Drop your checks off in person at 1221 Oak Street, at the front door.
- Preferred method: Pay online at https://www.acgov.org/propertytax/.
“The Treasurer’s office apologizes for this confusion and accepts responsibility,” the notice stated. “He is committed to look for ways to innovate and make changes that will benefit the county but will take pause to review all aspects of the change to ensure an error of this magnitude does not happen again.”
Treasurer Levy also noted that monthly payment solutions may be available to taxpayers who are having difficulty paying their taxes in two semi-annual installments. Visit the County’s Secured Monthly Payments web page for more information.
Editor’s note: updated 11:50 a.m. Nov. 7, 2024, to remove reference to Assessor’s office in second headline and replace with Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office.
