Bill > SB1402

This bill, SB 1402, aims to improve the property tax appeals process for homeowners in California by making several key changes. Firstly, it expands the "rebuttable presumption" in favor of the taxpayer during administrative hearings from just owner-occupied single-family dwellings to all "residential real property," which is defined to include various types of housing units and their associated land. Secondly, it prohibits assessors, tax collectors, or auditors from charging a fee for property tax assessment reduction applications for homes valued under $2,500,000. Thirdly, and significantly, it reduces the timeframe for county boards to hear evidence and make a final determination on an assessment appeal from two years to six months after the application is timely filed, with specific provisions for extensions by mutual agreement. This change is intended to prevent lengthy delays that could result in taxes being levied based on the applicant's opinion of value if the board fails to act within the new, shorter deadline. The bill also removes an existing provision that retroactively extended a two-year deadline to December 31, 2021. Finally, the bill declares that these changes address a statewide concern and apply to all counties, including charter counties, and states that no reimbursement is required for local agencies due to their ability to cover any increased duties through existing fees.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1402