Disaster Property Tax Relief is Available for Those Impacted by Fires

Sacramento - Property tax relief may be available for homeowners impacted by current and recent fires, as well as by flooding, earthquakes, and other calamities. In many cases, the damaged property can be reappraised in its current condition, with some taxes refunded to the property owner. Once the property has been rebuilt in a similar manner to the original property, the property's pre damaged value will be restored.

“I highly encourage impacted homeowners to document the damage as much as possible so they may take a deduction for their loss, especially if their tax records and other important documents have been destroyed in the fire,” said Board of Equalization Vice Chair Antonio Vazquez.

To qualify for property tax relief, you must file a claim with your county assessors' office within the time specified in your county ordinance, or 12 months from the date of damage or destruction, whichever is later. The loss estimate must be at least $10,000 of current market value to qualify.

Owners of eligible property may also apply for deferral of the next property tax installment on the regular secured roll or tax payments on the supplemental roll, without penalties or interest. The disaster must be the result of a Governor-proclaimed state of emergency. When a timely claim for deferral is filed, the next property tax installment payment is deferred without penalty or interest until the county assessor has reassessed the property and a corrected tax bill has been sent to the property owner.

For more details on property tax disaster relief, please see the Disaster Relief information on the Board of Equalization's website.

Elected on November 6, 2018, Board Member Antonio Vazquez is the Third District Member of the California State Board of Equalization, representing more than 9.5 million residents in Los Angeles, a portion of San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties. Vazquez previously served on the Santa Monica City Council for over 10 years, including holding the offices of Mayor Pro Tempore in 2015 and Mayor in 2016.

The five-member California State Board of Equalization (BOE) is a publicly elected tax board that serves a significant role in the assessment and administration of property taxes.

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