Complete form BOE-266, Claim for Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption. Obtain the claim form from the County Assessor's office where the property is located. Submit the completed form to the same office.
Filing a homestead declaration typically requires three steps. Complete a homestead declaration form. Sign your declaration in front of a notary. Record the homestead declaration form with your county recorder's office.
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.
At its core, homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of a homeowner's primary residence, meaning a portion of the home value will not be taxed. This reduction results in lower property tax bills.
You can file a declared homestead by taking these steps: Buy a declared homestead form from an office-supply store, or download a form from the Registrar-Recorder's website. Fill out the form. Sign the form and have it notarized.
In 2024, the exemption ranges from a minimum of $349,720 to a maximum of $699,426, based on county median home sale prices. The increased number provides more substantial equity protection for homeowners, acknowledging the varying real estate values across the state.
A homestead can protect the $50,000. There are two types of homesteads, automatic and declared.
California Homestead Exemption and Bankruptcy Using the revised exemption for 2021, a debtor may have $600,000 of equity in their Los Angeles or Orange County home and still file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy with their home being protected. The homestead exemption in Riverside County is $400,500.