First Installment Of Property Tax Due

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego County residents have until Monday to pay the first installment of their 2007-2008 property taxes.

For the ninth year in a row, an outdoor "tax tent" has been set up on the South Lawn of the County Administration Center to ease the payment process.

"It contains a full service tax collector office and, most importantly, provides fast, easy and friendly customer service for those wanting to pay their taxes with ease," San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister said last week.

McAllister said more than 967,000 tax bills were mailed to property owners in October.

The tax tent, located at 1600 Pacific Highway, will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Last year, nearly 2,500 taxpayers made use of the tax tent, McAllister said.

Residents can pay their taxes at the tent with cash, check or credit card. Bill payments can also be made online at http://www.sdtreastax.com.

Tax help is also available at the four branch offices -- in Clairemont, 9225 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.; San Marcos, 141 E. Carmel St.; Chula Vista, 590 Third Ave.; and El Cajon, 200 S. Magnolia.