5 Property Tax Questions You Need to Ask

1. What is the assessed value of the property? Note that assessed value is generally less than market value. Ask to see a recent copy of the seller’s tax bill to help you determine this information.

2. How often are properties reassessed, and when was the last reassessment done? In general, taxes jump most significantly when a property is reassessed.

3. Will the sale of the property trigger a tax increase? The assessed value of the property may increase based on the amount you pay for the property. And in some areas, such as California, taxes may be frozen until resale.

4. Is the amount of taxes paid comparable to other properties in the area? If not, it might be possible to appeal the tax assessment and lower the rate.

5. Does the current tax bill reflect any special exemptions that I might not qualify for? For example, many tax districts offer reductions to those 65 or over.

Supplemental Property Tax Questions

To help you better understand the California Supplemental Tax issue, we have compiled a list of questions most frequently asked the San Diego Tax Assessor / Recorder / Clerk.

Supplemental Property Tax FAQs 

1. What are supplemental property taxes?  The Supplemental Real Property Tax Law of 1983 was implemented to aid California's schools. This supplement is in addition to the regular tax bill, and it is expected to produce over $300 million per year in public education revenue. It requires the Assessor to reappraise property when ownership changes or new construction is completed. The Assessor issues a supplemental assessment that gets prorated based on the number of months remaining in the fiscal year ending June 30.
2. When are supplemental property taxes due?  The supplemental property tax becomes a lien on your property as of the date of ownership change or the date of completion of new construction. Depending on the county's current workload, you could be billed in as few as three weeks or as many as six months or more.
3. How does the supplemental tax assessment work?  The assessor will appraise your property using a formula that is prorated based on the number of months remaining until June 30, the end of the tax year. You will be advised of the assessment amount and will have the opportunity to discuss your valuation, apply for a homeowner's exemption (see question 5 above) and be informed of your right to file an assessment appeal. The county will then calculate your supplemental tax and mail you a bill.
4. Can I pay supplemental property taxes in installments?  All supplemental taxes are payable in two equal installments, due on the date the bill is mailed and delinquent on the date specified.
5. If I have an impound account, will the supplemental tax bill be sent to my mortgage company?  No. The supplemental tax bill is sent directly to you by the Tax Collector.  
6. If I resell my property again within a few months, will the supplemental tax bill be prorated among the owners?  Yes. If another sale or transfer of the property occurs before the mailing of the supplemental tax bill, the supplemental taxes will be prorated between the owners by the Assessor's Office.
7. Can I appeal my supplemental tax assessment?  To appeal a supplemental assessment, an application must be filed with the Clerk of the Board within 60 days from the mailing of the tax bill.

 For more information, call (858) 505-6262.