If your property was damaged in a fire, flood, mudslide or earthquake, you may be eligible for property tax relief.
California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 170 provides for a reduction in assessed value in the event of a misfortune or calamity. The State Board of Equalization explains, “In such cases, the county assessor will reappraise the property to reflect its damaged condition. In addition, when it is rebuilt in a like or similar manner, the property will retain its prior value (Proposition 13) for tax purposes.”
To qualify for property tax relief, you must file a claim within 12 months of the date of damage, or later if your county’s ordinance for disaster relief allows, and the damage estimate must be at least $10,000 of current market value.
In addition, if your property was substantially damaged or destroyed in a disaster for which the governor declared a state of emergency, you may qualify for a base-year value transfer to a new home.
Contact your county assessor’s office for more information. Call the phone number on your property tax bill, or look up the contact information at boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/countycontacts.htm.