To claim the exemption, the homeowner must make a one-time filing with the county assessor where the property is located. The claim form, BOE-266, Claim for Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption, is available from the county assessor.
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.
This exemption is available to a single homeowner age 65 or older, or a couple filing a joint petition, if either or both are age 65 or over. You may not double the exemption amount if you are married and filing jointly.
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.
A homestead can protect the $50,000. There are two types of homesteads, automatic and declared.
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.
1. Senior Citizen Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption. The Senior Citizen Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption is available to homeowners who are at least 65 years old and meet certain income requirements.
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.
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.