SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- As the economic impact of coronavirus and prevention measures continue to grow broadly across San Diego, the County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office has changed its stance on the property tax deadline.

The county tax collector is now accepting penalty cancellation requests for those who have been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

“We know COVID-19 has had widespread consequences for people in San Diego, California and across the nation, and we want to be as compassionate and lenient as possible,” said San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister. “We will cancel late penalties for those directly affected by the virus.”

"If you were affected by the virus and unable to pay the second installment of your property taxes, you can use the TTC's special penalty cancellation request form," said McAllister.

Requests will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis, said McAllister.

DOWNLOAD FORM: Penalty Cancellation Request Form

Requests must be submitted by June 30 of this year.

The form requires applicants to explain how they were impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and unable to pay property taxes by April 10, the delinquent date. Forms must also be submitted along with a check for the amount owed.

The Treasurer-Tax Collector (TTC) will "not accept request forms when there is no payment attached."

Applicants can mail in the form and check or drop off the items in the TTC’s drop boxes found at all branch locations.

"Thank you to those who have already paid their second installments," said McAllister. "Property taxes fund many essential services, including coronavirus response and the salaries of first responders. You have helped our county, schools and cities continue to meet their financial obligations."

McAllister's office made the announcement Saturday morning, a day after property taxes were due despite countywide measures calling for the public to stay home resulting in business closures and increased unemployment. McAllister's office told 10News on March 24 that the deadline was not going to change stating, “The second installment of property taxes is due no later than April 10. State action would be required to change the date.”

The California Association of County Treasurers and Tax Collectors posted a statement on its website stating that tax collectors have the authority to handle specific scenarios where a taxpayer cannot physically pay their taxes on April 10 due to quarantine, illness or closure of the tax collector’s office as a result of COVID-19.

Last month, San Diego City Council President Pro Tem Barbara Bry wrote a letter to the governor asking him to consider an Executive Order directing all county treasurer-tax collectors to defer April 10, 2020, property tax payments until July 15, 2020.

