Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption Checker
A permanent $7,000 reduction in assessed value that almost every owner-occupant qualifies for. You have to file once to get it.
If you own your home and live in it as your principal residence, you likely qualify for a $7,000 reduction in assessed value, worth roughly $77 a year at a typical 1.1% tax rate. You file form BOE-266 once, and the exemption renews automatically each year after approval.
This checker covers only the Homeowners' Exemption. To see every property tax exemption you might claim (disabled veterans, nonprofits, seniors), use the property tax exemption finder. The homestead exemption is a different law: it protects home equity from creditors and does not lower your tax bill.
Answer a couple of quick questions to confirm eligibility and estimate your savings.
Homeowners' Exemption Checker
Your Homeowners' Exemption Result
How this is calculated
The test has two parts: you must own the home, and you must occupy it as your principal residence on the January 1 lien date. If both are true and you haven't filed, file form BOE-266 with your county assessor by February 15 for full exemption; late filing through December 10 gets a partial (80%) exemption to get the full $7,000 assessed-value reduction for that year. A late filing through December 10 still gets 80% of the exemption.
This tool estimates your dollar savings by multiplying the $7,000 reduction by your entered effective tax rate (1.1% default, reflecting the 1% Prop 13 base rate plus typical local voter-approved bonds).
Once approved, the exemption renews every year with no further paperwork for as long as you own and occupy the home. If you stop qualifying (you move out, rent it out or sell), notify your assessor by December 10 to avoid a penalty for an exemption that continued improperly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the California Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption?
It is a $7,000 reduction in your home's taxable assessed value, not $7,000 off your tax bill. At a typical 1.1% effective rate, it saves roughly $77 a year.
Who qualifies for the Homeowners' Exemption?
Any owner who occupies the home as their principal place of residence on January 1 (the lien date) of the tax year. It applies to houses, condos and manufactured homes. Rental and vacation properties don't qualify.
Do I need to reapply for this exemption every year?
No. It's a one-time filing (form BOE-266) with your county assessor. Once approved, it automatically renews every year as long as you continue to own and occupy the home as your principal residence.
What's the filing deadline?
File by February 15 to get the full exemption for that tax year. If you file between February 16 and December 10, you get 80% of the exemption for that year.
Can I combine this with other property tax exemptions?
Not with the Disabled Veterans' Exemption on the same home. That exemption is larger and is claimed in place of the Homeowners' Exemption. Ask your assessor how any other exemptions apply to your property.
This tool provides an educational estimate only and is not tax advice. Confirm your filing status and exact deadlines with your county assessor's office.