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Property Taxable New Construction vs. Non-Taxable Repairs at Orange County, CA

By
Real Estate Agent with HomeSmart, Evergreen Realty

CA property taxes 

Some homeowners here at Orange County, California, are making decisions to improve and renovate their homes. 

A primary financial consideration is the possible PROPERTY TAXABLE REASSESSMENT OF VALUE for new construction vs. non-taxable maintenance or repairs. assessed value protections

  • New construction is taxable under California law but does not trigger reassessment of the entire property. 
  • Market value of new construction is added to existing Proposition 13 value.
  • New construction is subject to one-time supplemental assessment upon completion of construction.
  • Maintenance or replacement of existing items is not taxable.

Example:  If you bought your home during 2001 and paid $300,000, your property taxes would be limited by Proposition 13 to one percent of assessed value, which can only be increased as much as two percent per year.  If value of your property is now $600k, reassessed value could be no more than $320,000.  And your annual property tax would be $3,200 (one percent of assessed value).  So you would want to be careful and protect that assessed value and not cause your home repairs, improvement or renovation to trigger a property reassessment.  

taxable new construction 

Property taxable new construction would include:

  • New buildings or structures, or significant remodeling that changes the utility or effective age of the property. 
  • New additions to real property including room additions, living space, garages, other structures, swimming pools, spas, patio covers, enclosed patios, sunrooms, porches, central heating/air conditioning, fireplaces, decks, fences or flatwork.
  • Land development (grading, infrastructure, foundations).

Non-taxable maintenance or replacement would include:

  • Maintenance or replacement of existing improvements including roofs. 
  • See County of Orange Assessor web site for other elements and information. 

Be careful with this and see Orange County Assessor office web site - click here - for guidelines on assessment of homes and property after new construction.

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This is for information only and is not the providing of tax or legal services. You should consult with the Orange County Assessor office or a lawyer about your own situation and whether any repair or improvement to your property would be property taxable.

For information on seller and buyer opportunities for homes and real estate at Orange County, California, Newport BeachIrvineat Laguna Beach, at Corona del Marat Newport Coast, or at Costa Mesa, please contact us.  Thanks.

Harrison K. Long - solutions for real estate and business - REALTOR® and broker associate, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - 949-854-7747 (phone) - ExploreProperties@gmail.com (email) - CA DRE 01410855 - SFR short sale and foreclosure resource certified by the National Association of REALTORs®.

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We list and sell homes and properties at Orange County, California. 

Posted by

 

Richard L. Sanderson
Richard L. Sanderson Consulting - Kalama, WA
helping improve local property tax systems

Harrison:

Your blog post is very informative and of genuine service to your clients and the general community.  I especially appreciate that you encourage readers to contact the local assessor's office.  Property owners should fully understand the tax consequences of improving their properties BEFORE going forward.

Jan 02, 2011 04:24 AM
Harrison K. Long
HomeSmart, Evergreen Realty - Irvine, CA
REALTOR , GRI, Broker associate, Attorney

Richard ... Thanks for your comment and support on my post Property Taxable New Construction vs. Non-Taxable Repairs at Orange County, CA.  It is important that CA home and property owners know guidelines set forth by the county assessors and what would trigger reassessment. 

Jan 02, 2011 04:47 AM