Hojas informativas

Basics of Valuing Your Property

All taxable property in Tulare County is assigned an assessed value by the Office of the Assessor for property tax purposes. This fact sheet provides an overview of how property is valued and the basics of property taxation.

Contest Your Property Value

Disagree with your assessed value? You can request a free informal review from the Assessor or file a formal appeal with the independent Assessment Appeals Board.

Death of A Property Owner

Three fact sheets on important things to be done if your loved one owned real property in Tulare County.

Essential Facts for Recording Property

The County Recorder maintains a wide variety of public documents related to land transactions in Tulare County. These recorded documents are often used to determine the ownership and history of real property. Whenever a property changes ownership, documents should be submitted to the Recorder’s Office to create a record of new ownership.

How Property is Assessed for Property Tax Purposes

This information sheet explains California’s property tax system, the limits of Proposition 13, and the requirement for the Assessor to enroll the lower of a property’s factored base year value or market value each year. It outlines how base year values are set at market value upon a change in ownership or completion of new construction, unless an exclusion applies. It also clarifies the difference between assessed and market value, what to do if the assessed value is believed to be too high, and why similar properties may have different assessed values.

Information Guide for Disaster Relief for Damaged or Destroyed Property

Did you know property owners in California are eligible for tax relief if their property has been damaged or destroyed by a disaster or calamity such as fire, flooding, or earthquake? The law provides various types of property tax relief—from when the property was damaged or destroyed to later, once the property is rebuilt or if a different property is purchased.

Information for the Tulare County Property Owner

This booklet contains information on the assessment of real and business property and several ways to save on your property taxes. Contains: Assessor Booklet Guía del propietario del condado de Tulare  

Property Tax 101

The basics of property taxation for new homeowners.

Property Tax Savings for Homeowners

The Homeowner’s Exemption reduces your property taxes on your principal place of residence by deducting up to $7,000 from your assessed value before applying the tax rate, resulting in an annual tax savings of up to $70. Download the fact sheet to learn more!

Property Tax Savings: Family Transfers

On November 3, 2020, California voters approved Proposition 19, changing tax savings programs for families and seniors. This fact sheet provides information on how to transfer your Prop 13 tax base to family members.

Proposition 19 Fact Sheet

California voters approved Proposition 19 on November 3, 2020, and its implementing legislation was enacted on September 30, 2021. It provides for intergenerational exclusions and base-year value transfers that can result in property tax savings for taxpayers.

Transfer Your Property Tax Value to a New Home

This fact sheet focuses on the tax savings for persons 55 or older, individuals with severe disabilities, and victims of wildfire or other natural disasters who wish to transfer their existing assessed values to replacement homes within California.

Transfers of Property Between Parents and Children

Parents can transfer their home or family farm to their children without having the property reassessed to current market value and avoid paying higher property taxes.

Transfers of Property Between Grandparents and Grandchildren

An intergenerational transfer exclusion allows the taxable value of a property to remain the same for the person receiving the property as that of the person transferring the property.  

Transfer of Property Tax Base to Replacement Property - Individuals with Disabilities

Property owners with severe and permanent disabilities can transfer the taxable value of their homes upon change of ownership and avoid paying higher property taxes.

Transfer of Property Tax Base to Replacement Property - Age 55+

There is an exclusion from reassessment for persons age 55 and older when they sell their home and replace it with another.  

Value Changes Due to New Construction

Making changes to your home? Under state law, your property tax may increase due to new construction activity. In general, new construction refers to any improvements other than normal maintenance or repair. When new construction is performed, the changed or new part of your home may be assessed to reflect its contributing market value, thus increasing your property’s assessment.

Williamson Act fact sheet

The Williamson Act allows landowners to enter into voluntary contracts with Tulare County, restricting land to agricultural or open space use for a minimum of nine years in exchange for property tax relief.