California Property Taxes, Prop 13 and Prop 19

Prop 13 in one paragraph

When you buy, the county sets the home's assessed value at the purchase price. The basic tax is 1% of that value, plus voter-approved local bonds and special assessments, so most bills in the county come to a bit more than 1%. After that, the assessed value can rise by at most 2% a year until the home sells again or new construction is added.

The supplemental tax bill after you buy

Because the regular bill is based on the seller's old value, the county sends new owners one or more supplemental bills for the difference, for the rest of the tax year. These come directly to you, not through the lender's impound account, so plan for them.

The homeowners' exemption

If the home is your main residence, file for the homeowners' exemption with the County Assessor. It takes $7,000 off the assessed value. The county usually mails the form after a purchase; it only has to be filed once.

When the bills are due

The secured bill is paid in two installments: the first is due November 1 and late after December 10, the second is due February 1 and late after April 10. Check the Department of Tax and Collections for the exact dates each year.

Prop 19: moving and inheriting

Since April 2021, homeowners who are 55 or older, severely disabled, or whose home was destroyed by a wildfire or disaster can move their assessed value to a replacement home anywhere in California, up to three times, with an adjustment if the new home costs more.

Prop 19 also narrowed the parent-to-child exclusion: an inherited home keeps the parent's value only if the child makes it their main home, and only up to a set amount above that value ($1,044,586 for transfers from February 16, 2025 to February 15, 2027; the State Board of Equalization adjusts it every two years). The rules have details and deadlines, so talk with the Assessor's office and a tax professional before you rely on them.