Martin Arias serves as the Taxpayer Advocate for the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, where he leads efforts to ensure taxpayers receive fair, accessible, and responsive service.

In this role, Martin assists property owners with complex or unresolved property tax and recordation matters, helping them navigate assessments, exemptions, supplemental bills, and ownership changes. Since assuming this position, he has supported thousands of taxpayers, resolved over 500 individual cases, and helped connect eligible property owners—particularly seniors, veterans, and surviving family members—to property tax relief programs, resulting in significant tax savings.

Martin has expanded public education and outreach, delivering presentations and workshops across San Diego County to help residents better understand property taxes, exemptions, and available resources. He works closely with internal divisions, external agencies, and community organizations to identify service gaps, elevate systemic issues, and improve processes that impact taxpayers countywide.

Prior to becoming Taxpayer Advocate, Martin held leadership and public-facing roles within San Diego County government, including work focused on community engagement, program development, and interagency coordination. He brings a strong background in public service and policy, with an emphasis on problem-solving and customer service.

Martin is bilingual in English and Spanish, enhancing accessibility for San Diego County’s diverse communities, and is committed to advancing transparency, accountability, and trust in local government.