About Property Taxes

The Tax Year

Property taxes are charged on a fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30. Hence tax years are referred to as 2015/2016 or 2017/2018. Taxes are billed in two equal installments. Tax bills are sent to homeowners in the last week of October. The first installment, which covers the period from July 1 through December 31 is delinquent if not paid by December 10. The second installment, which covers the period from January 1 through June 30, is delinquent if not paid by April 10.

Calculating Property Taxes

In most cases, the assessed valuation in your first year of ownership will be same as the purchase price. It may be increased by up to 2% per year for each year you own the property.

HOMEOWNERS’ EXEMPTION

If you own and occupy a dwelling on March 1 as your principal place of residence, you are eligible to receive a reduction of up to $7,000 of the dwelling’s taxable value in the form of a Homeowners’ Exemption. To receive this exemption, you must file a claim with the Assessor. Once you receive the exemption, it is not necessary to file each year as long as you own and occupy the residence.

Supplemental Taxes

Upon change of ownership, the Assessor’s Office will reappraise the property and will bill the new owners for any difference in taxes resulting from a higher assessed value. The Assessor will issue you a supplemental assessment bill which is prorated based on the number of months remaining in the fiscal year ending June 30

MELLO-ROOS COMMUNITY FACILITY DISTRICTS

Mello-Roos districts are designated areas which have issued bonds for community facilities, e.g., earthquake retrofitting of schools, and for which annual tax levies are collected as a part of the property tax billing.