California property tax exemption for seniors

California offers a property tax relief program for seniors known as the California Proposition 60/90 Exclusion. This program allows homeowners who are 55 years of age or older to transfer the base-year value of their current primary residence to a replacement property within the same county or to certain counties that have opted to accept inter-county transfers.

Here are key details about the California Proposition 60/90 Exclusion:

Age Requirement:To be eligible, at least one of the property owners must be 55 years of age or older at the time of the sale of the original property.


Replacement Property:The homeowner must sell their current primary residence (original property) and purchase or construct a replacement property within the same county or in a county that accepts inter-county transfers.


Equal or Lesser Value:The replacement property must be of equal or lesser value than the original property. The replacement property's purchase price must be within certain percentage limits of the original property's full cash value.


Timeframe for Replacement:The replacement property must be purchased or newly constructed within two years (before or after) of the sale of the original property.


One-Time Benefit:The exclusion is a one-time benefit and can only be used once in a person's lifetime.


Application Process:Homeowners must file a claim with their county assessor to apply for the exclusion. The claim must be filed within three years of purchasing or completing new construction on the replacement property.


Inter-County Transfers (Proposition 90):Some counties in California have opted to accept inter-county transfers under Proposition 90. This means that eligible homeowners can transfer their base-year value from one county to another. Not all counties participate, so it's essential to check the list of participating counties.

It's important to note that while the Proposition 60/90 Exclusion provides a valuable tax benefit for seniors, it is specific to property tax assessments and does not affect other aspects of property taxes, such as special assessments or parcel taxes.

As tax laws can change, it's advisable to check with the local county assessor's office or consult with a tax professional for the most up-to-date information and to confirm eligibility and specific details related to the Proposition 60/90 Exclusion.


Property tax exemption