(April Newsletter) Proration of Taxes, Upcoming Payment Deadlines, and Alameda's Cold War Naval Base

Dear Alameda County Residents,

To all who celebrate, I hope you had a wonderful Easter. May this season of renewal bring joy, hope, and new beginnings. And, Chag Pesach Sameach! Passover reminds us of the importance of community, perseverance, and the pursuit of a better future for all. As well, Nowruz Mobarak to all who celebrate! Here in Alameda County, we are proud to serve a diverse community, and we honor the multicultural traditions that make our county vibrant and strong.

It is also springtime in the East Bay. As we welcome this beautiful season, we also approach the annual roll close, a crucial milestone for Alameda County.

Please remember April 10 is the last day to pay the second installment of secured property taxes without penalties.

As we near this deadline, we also want to remind businesses that the deadline to file Business Personal Property Statements (571L Form) without penalty is May 7.

Failure to file the property statement by May 7 will result in the Assessor’s Office estimating the value of your business property and adding a 10% penalty to the assessment, as required by state law.

As always, we remain committed to serving the residents of Alameda County.

Sincerely,

Phong La

Alameda County Assessor

Proration of Taxes in Property Sales

What is Tax Proration in a Property Sale?

Tax proration is used during a property sale to make sure property taxes are split fairly between the seller and the buyer. Each of them pays only for the time they actually own the property.

How the tax year works (in California):

Property taxes don’t follow the regular calendar year. Instead, the tax year runs from July 1 to June 30 of the next year. For example, the 2025–2026 tax year is from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.

How tax payments are divided:

The tax year is split into two parts:

First half (July 1 – December 31) Payment is due November 1
Late after December 10
Second half (January 1 – June 30) Payment is due February 1
Late after April 10

How it works:

When the sale closes, property taxes are divided based on how many days the seller owned the property and how many days the buyer will own it during that tax period.

If property taxes are due but haven’t been paid yet, the escrow process may include those charges in the final closing costs.
If the buyer’s lender requires a special account (called an escrow or impound account) to pay future taxes, the buyer may need to deposit some money into that account at closing.

NOTE: Property taxes are divided during the close of escrow by the title company, not by the County Assessor.

Alameda County Women's Hall of Fame Celebrates Achievements and Uplifts Voices

On Saturday, March 28, the Alameda County Assessor’s Office was proud to attend the 2026 Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame Luncheon & Inductee Ceremony, celebrating remarkable women whose contributions continue to shape and strengthen our community.

The ceremony offered a meaningful opportunity to honor this year’s inductees and recognize the lasting impact of women across Alameda County—past and present. The event brought together County leaders, community partners, and residents to celebrate achievements, share stories, and uplift the voices of women making a difference every day.

Congratulations to all inductees and scholarship winners!

H Mart Opens Eagerly Anticipated Store in the City of Dublin

The long-awaited H Mart opened its doors in Dublin on Thursday, March 26. Dozens of elected officials were on hand for the grand opening event, and hundreds of people queued around the block, eagerly anticipating their turn to enter the store and be one of the first customers to shop at the new market.

Assessor Phong La joined the celebration in person, presented a commendation certificate to H Mart's President Woojin Choi, and shared remarks recognizing H Mart's investment in Alameda County.

H Mart will not just be a market at this location. It will be a hub for Dublin and nearby communities. We look forward to their continued success and positive impact in the community.

Alameda County Historic Spotlight

Naval Air Station Alameda

In 1927, wetlands at the west end of Alameda Island were transformed into Alameda Airport, featuring a runway, hangars, and a yacht harbor. This site held historical significance as the former Alameda Terminal of the First Transcontinental Railroad. By 1935, Pan American World Airways used the harbor for its famed China Clipper trans-Pacific flights. In 1936, the city of Alameda ceded the airport to the U.S. government, and by 1940, it became Naval Air Station (NAS) Alameda. The base played a vital role during World War II, including the loading of aircraft for the 1942 Doolittle Raid on Japan. It also became a hub for training and support, operating a network of auxiliary airfields throughout Northern California.

NAS Alameda remained a key military installation through the Cold War, hosting major aircraft carriers such as the Coral Sea, Enterprise, and Abraham Lincoln. It supported both active-duty and reserve operations, with squadrons flying a variety of aircraft. The base also housed the Naval Air Rework Facility (later NADEP), employing thousands in aircraft maintenance. In 1967, the airfield was renamed Nimitz Field in honor of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Despite its long-standing strategic importance, the base was closed in 1997 as part of a nationwide military realignment, and its runways were not repurposed for civilian aviation.