That deadline is the second installment of county property taxes for 2010-2011. Payments are due no later than this coming Monday by 5 PM.

The amount of your tax is based on how much assessors thought your property was worth back in January of 2010.

"So, it's a year-and-a-half out-of-date."

Guy Fuson is with Sacramento County's Department of Finance. He explains that in January of each year, values are assessed for the upcoming fiscal year which begins in July. Even if you're disputing that assessment, you still have to pay the tax to avoid a penalty.

And Fuson says allow plenty of time for the Finance Department to actually cash your check.  

"We get many calls from people the week after taxes are due saying 'has my payment cleared yet?' And with the volume we have we can't answer that question."

Fuson says it can take up to six weeks to process all the payments.