Tulare County Seal

Tulare County

Office of the Assessor/Clerk-Recorder

Homeowner's Exemption FAQ

See FAQ Below:

 


No. You are only eligible for one homeowner's exemption at a time within the state.


 


No. Homeowners can qualify to receive only one exemption benefit. 

Homeowners that qualify for both exemptions usually select the Disabled Veterans’ Exemption, which provides a higher tax savings benefit than the Homeowners’ Exemption $7,000 maximum.


 


If the Assessor sends you a Business Property Statement, the law requires that you complete, sign and return the statement to the Assessor's Office in the time period specified. Any business that owns Personal Property and/or Fixtures having a total combined cost of $100,000 or more is required to file a BPS even if the Assessor does not request that you file one.


 


Yes. The Assessor must have a valid application on file for the current owner to continue to receive the homeowner’s exemption benefit.


 


Yes. You must notify the Assessor in writing whenever a property you own is no longer your primary residence.

Please notify us no later than the first December 10 following the date you moved away from your home. 

Late notification or discovery could result in additional assessments and penalties necessary to recover the unauthorized homeowner’s exemption benefit.  If you are moving immediately to another residence in Tulare County for which you will be filing a new Homeowners’ Exemption application, the new application provides official notification of the cancellation of your prior exemption.


 


The recording of the deed by the new owner will automatically terminate the existing exemption on your former residence.

However, you should notify the Assessor if you move before January 1 and the recording of the change in ownership occurs after January 1.

If you are moving immediately to another residence in Tulare County for which you will be filing a new Homeowners’ Exemption application, the new application will serve as written notification of the cancellation of your prior exemption.

Otherwise, you must notify the Assessor that your former property is no longer your primary residence.


 


No. The exemption automatically applies each year until the property is no longer considered your primary residence. For example, if you vacate on a long-term basis, or rent or lease the property, the property no longer qualifies to receive the exemption because it is no longer your primary residence. If the exemption is removed and you later reoccupy the property, you can file a new application to reinstate the exemption.


 


If the Assessor sends you a Business Property Statement, the law requires that you complete, sign and return the statement to the Assessor's Office in the time period specified. Any business that owns Personal Property and/or Fixtures having a total combined cost of $100,000 or more is required to file a BPS even if the Assessor does not request that you file one.


 


No. We will not notify you of receipt of your application nor will you be notified when your application is approved. You will be contacted only if more information is needed or if your application is denied.  Once your application is approved, the exemption will appear on the next qualifying tax bill. 

You are strongly advised to make a copy of the completed application for your records (and note the date it was mailed thereon) before mailing the original application to us.


 


No. The Homeowners’ Exemption application is NOT a public document and the Assessor, as a matter of law, must hold both it and the social security number information on the form confidential.