Certain properties, or portions of properties, are exempt from taxation under the California Constitution. The most common types are homeowner, disabled veterans, welfare, charitable, and institutional exemptions. Visit the Assessor's Exemption webpage for more information.
The home must have been the principal place of residence of the owner on the lien date, January 1st. To claim the exemption, the homeowner must make a one-time filing with the county assessor where the property is located.
Eligibility Requirements: Homeowners must be age 55 or better (For married couples, only one spouse must be 55 or better to qualify.) Homeowners must have sold their former residence within 2 years of purchasing the replacement property. Both the former and replacement properties must be the owner's primary residence.
You must occupy the dwelling as your principal residence as of January 1 of each year to qualify for the Homeowners' Exemption for that year.
Declared Homestead. Currently, the California homestead exemption is automatic, meaning that a homestead declaration does not need to be filed with the county clerk. Under the new 2021 law, $300,000–$600,000 of a home's equity cannot be touched by judgment creditors.
To qualify, you must be a property owner, co-owner, or purchaser named in a contract of sale. You must occupy your home as your principal place of residence as of January 1 of each year.
The protected amount is called the “homestead exemption.” All homeowners automatically have a homeowner's exemption, which protects part of their equity from involuntary sales (foreclosures). Recording a declaration of ownership extends this protection to voluntary sales.
Obtain the claim form from the County Assessor's office where the property is located. Submit the completed form to the same office. Once the exemption has been granted, it remains effective until a change in eligibility occurs, such as selling or moving out of the home. Annual filing is not required.
Lower My Property Taxes Decline In Value / Prop 8. Calamity / Property Destroyed. Disabled Veterans' Exemption. Homeowners' Exemption. Nonprofit Exemptions. Transfers Between Family Members. Transfer of Base Year Value to Replacement Dwelling. Assessment Appeal.