Since 1974, the state of California has offered to reduce the assessed value of any owner-occupied home by $7,000. That, in turn, reduces the home’s annual tax bill. You just have to apply once, and the homeowners exemption will be applied automatically to your assessment until you move out or sell. According to Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang, however, nearly one-third of county homeowners do not sign up for the exemption.
To qualify, you must own and occupy your home as your primary residence.
Signing up for the exemption is especially important for homeowners hoping to take advantage of 2020’s Proposition 19. The ballot measure allows people to transfer their homes to one or more of their children without it being reassessed for property tax purposes, potentially shielding their offspring from an enormous increase in taxes. To qualify for this benefit, the recipient of the house must apply for a homeowner’s exemption or disabled veteran’s exemption within one year of the transfer.
Important Note: If you apply for the Homeowners' Exemption past February 15th, you may only receive a partial exemption for the current fiscal year. However, you will not need to reapply for the exemption next year and will receive the full $7,000 reduction in assessed value.
How to File
Visit YOUR county assessor website and follow the instructions on there.
| County | Website |
| Los Angeles | Link |
| Orange | Link |
| Riverside | Link |
| San Bernardino | Link |
