Property tax law in California is set forth in the state constitution. Determination of property taxes is based around Proposition 13, a 1978 voter initiative that took the power of setting the property tax rates away from state legislators.
Proposition 13
California property taxes are "ad valorem" and determined on amount and proportional to property values. If home values go up, assessed values and property taxes go up. As California property values climbed during the 1970s, voters approved Proposition 13, which froze the basic tax rate and limited the assessed value of property to the value at sale plus no more than 2 percent increase per year.
Calculating Property Taxes
Property taxes in California are determined by multiplying a tax rate by an assessed property value. Proposition 13 defines the rate as 1 percent plus of assessed value - rate necessary to repay bond obligations for school facilities approved by 55 percent of voters and for other bond obligations approved by two-thirds of voters. Such bonds can be issued by the state, counties and other local districts, so tax rates vary between areas and counties California.
Exemptions
California allows certain exemptions from property taxes. Each homeowner is allowed an exemption that subtracts $7,000 from the assessed value of the home before it is multiplied by the tax rate. This "homeowners exemption" should be carried over automatically year to year. Other possible exemptions, such as for veterans, schools and churches, are available.
Due Date and Tax Year
Property tax year in California runs from July 1 through June 30. Taxpayers must pay their property tax bill in two installments: the first by December 10, and the second by April 10. An overdue tax bill results in a penalty of 10 percent plus a 1.5 percent a month redemption fee based off the amount owed.
When Property Taxes Remain Unpaid
If the property tax remains unpaid for five years, California law permits the local tax collector to go through a process of selling the property so as to collect on the past-due taxes and penalties.
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Harrison K. Long – REALTOR® and broker associate, GRI – Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage– 949-854-7747 (phone) – ExploreProperties@gmail.com - CA DRE 01410855 – SFR short sale and foreclosure resource certified by the National Association of REALTORs® – now serving as an appointed director at California Association of REALTORs®.
This is for information only and is not the providing of legal or tax services. If you have questions about your California property taxes, you should contact the tax assessor or tax collector office at your county.
Professional REALTOR® agent representation - help for property owners, private trust estate representatives, estate administrators, executors and heirs, probate and trust attorneys, estate planners, income tax professionals, public guardians, fiduciaries, investor group managers, bankers, and individuals, with listing and sale of properties at Orange County, CA.
Harrison K. Long, Attorney member of the California State Bar Association #69137
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