9100 Tax Relief
Program Descriptions

7500 - HOMEOWNERS' PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

In order to reduce California taxpayers' property tax burden, the California Constitution exempts homeowners from paying property taxes on the first $7,000 of the assessed value of their principal place of residence. The Constitution requires the state to reimburse local governments for revenues lost due to the homeowners' exemption.

7505 - SUBVENTIONS FOR OPEN SPACE

The Williamson Act permits cities and counties to enter into contracts with landowners to limit the use of land to agricultural, scenic, and open space purposes. Article XIII, Section 8, of the California Constitution permits land under such restrictions to be assessed at other than market value based on its limited uses. The state provides reimbursements to cities and counties to partially defray the loss of property tax revenues. The Department of Conservation administers this program.

7510 - SENIOR CITIZENS' PROPERTY TAX POSTPONEMENT LOAN REPAYMENTS

The Senior Citizens' Property Tax Postponement Program allows eligible homeowners to defer payment of residential property tax. The state pays the deferred taxes to local governments on behalf of the participants, and places a lien on their property to assure repayment when the property is sold or transferred. The Senior Citizens' Property Tax Postponement Loan Repayments Program captures repayments from individuals that participated in the Senior Citizens' Property Tax Postponement Program and transfers to the General Fund the amount in excess of what is required to fund the Postponement Program claims. The Program was suspended in 2009 and was reestablished via legislation in 2014 (Chapter 703, Statutes of 2014).