California Homeowners Can Realize Significant Annual Property Tax Savings
CALFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS GET THE FACTS ON PROPOSITION 19
Proposition 19 Benefits:
-California homeowners who are 55+, severely disabled, or victims of wildfire or natural disaster will be allowed to transfer the property tax base of their existing home to a new home anywhere in California, regardless of price (with an adjustment upward to their tax basis if the replacement property is of greater value).
-Proposition 19 is to create housing opportunities to build more senior housing and retirement communities for millions of seniors and Baby Boomers to retire with Prop 19’s tax benefits.
-Proposition 19 should open up homebuying opportunities for tens of thousands of renters, young families, and first-time homeowners.
-The new annual revenue will provide for fire protection, emergency response, local government, and school districts.
How Does Proposition 19 Benefit you:
- You could realize significant annual property tax savings. Under Proposition 19 those who qualify can Purchase a replacement home anywhere in California and transfer the taxable value of their current home, allowing them to realize significant annual property tax savings.
- Proposition 19 allows the ability to move closer to family or medical care, purchase a home that better meets their needs, replace a fire damaged home, or retire or relocate anywhere in the state without a tax increase.
- Save substantially in annual property taxes when moving to a replacement home, even if the replacement home is more expensive than the original primary residence (with an adjustment upward to their tax basis if the replacement property is of greater value).
- Transfer the low property tax base of their original home to a new home up to three times.
Replacement home sales and purchases that close escrow on or after April 1, 2021, qualify for Prop 19 property tax base transfers.
-After consulting with your own attorney or tax advisor, you may also consider transactions where either the sale or purchase of a primary residence takes place before April 1, 2021, as long as the subsequent sale or purchase takes place within two years and on or after April 1, 2021. C.A.R. is currently seeking official clarification through implementing legislation. Until the clarification, REALTORS® should encourage their clients to seek the advice of a qualified California real estate attorney or tax advisor if there is a question about a transaction that closes prior to April 1, 2021.
Tax Savings Examples:
Buying a Home Across County Lines: If the purchase price of the replacement home is equal to (or less than) the sale price of the existing home, the new taxable value of the replacement home is the same as the original residence. -Scenario: A senior couple on a fixed income lives in a home valued at $600,000. They paid $2,200 in property taxes in 2020 (based on the $200,000 original purchase price). They want to downsize and move closer to family, but would pay $6,600 in property taxes because they moved across county lines. Under Prop 19, instead of facing a moving tax penalty, the couple would save $4,400 annually in property taxes. Under Prop 19: The senior couple can sell their $600,000 home and purchase another home for $600,000* anywhere in California without a property tax increase. When transferring the low property tax base of their original home to another home across county lines, they can move without a tax increase and save $4,400 per year in property taxes.
Buying a More Expensive Home: If the sale price of the replacement home costs more than the price of the
existing home, qualified homeowners can blend the tax base of their original home with the tax base of the new
home. The new, adjusted property tax base of the replacement home takes the tax base of the original home and
adds the difference between the sale price of the new home and the original home. - Scenario: Another senior couple with a home valued at $600,000 (also paying $2,200 in property taxes)
wants to downsize from a two-story home that is too big for their needs, is too expensive to maintain, and
has stairs that are difficult for them to use. They want to downsize to a more manageable home in a
newly built retirement community nearby for $700,000, but they can’t afford the $7,700 spike in property
taxes that comes with moving.
- Under Prop 19: This couple will save $4,400 in annual property taxes*. Prop 19 allows homeowners to
keep their existing Prop 13 tax base and transfer it to a more expensive home. The property tax base of
the new home is determined by adding the difference between the sales price of the replacement home
($700,000) and the original home ($600,000) to the tax base of the original home ($200,000). In this
example, the couple would pay $3,300 in property taxes, instead of $7,700 in property taxes. (*The tax
savings could be greater depending on the definition of "equal or lesser" value).
Applying for the Prop 19 Homeowner Property Tax Exemption
C.A.R. is currently working with the state, the California Board of Equalization, and local county assessors
to determine the official process for Prop 19 tax base transfers. C.A.R. is committed to advocating for a
simple, streamlined process so that homeowners can easily access this new constitutional property tax
exemption. C.A.R. will keep REALTORS® updated with any new information as the April 1, 2021, deadline
approaches.
The information contained herein is intended to provide general information and is not intended as a substitute for individual legal advice.
Specific examples used are only general examples, and the actual amount of property taxes owed for any person will depend on the specific situation of the individual and a wide variety of other factors. Therefore, all persons are directed to seek the advice of an attorney regarding their specific tax and legal situation.
Call or email Michele Engleman Seniors Real Estate Specialist today to find out how she can help you to successfully transfer your existing Prop 13 tax base to replacement home in California.
(619) 302-8082. or Email: Michele@micheleengleman.com