Contact: Assessor's Office at 707-565-1888
The Sonoma County Assessor's Officeannounced today that various private companies are sending mailings to property owners offering their services to pursue a reduction in property taxes. These companies may charge hundreds of dollars to file for a reduction in value on behalf of the property owner. Some companies are even imposing late fees if the application is received after an arbitrary deadline.
Sonoma County property owners should be aware that their property may already be included in a mass review of assessed values by the Assessor's Office. Over 100,000 single family homes and condos purchased between July 2002 and June 2009 have been targeted by the Assessor's Office for review. In some areas, earlier purchases will be examined. All owners whose property values are adjusted will receive a letter from the assessor by the end of August notifying them of the results of the review.
Property owners whose property is not included in the review may file an Informal Request for Decline in Market Value application. (Properties that have already received an adjustment for a prior year do not need to re-apply.) The Decline-In-Value form is simple to complete and readily available www.sonoma-county.org/assessor or at the Assessor's office. The application will be reviewed, and if a reduction is warranted, the taxable value will be temporarily reduced. The deadline for filing the form is June 30, 2010.
Please note that there is no charge for a review, or for filing the application. There is no reason to pay for a review that will be done for free.
Property Owners should also be aware that solicitations from private companies offering to pursue a reduction in property taxes must clearly indicate that they are NOT a government agency and that their services are NOT approved or endorsed by any government agency. Failure to provide such notice is a violation of California law. If you or someone you know receives an illegal solicitation please contact the Sonoma County District Attorney's Environmental and Consumer Law Division by phone at (707) 565-3161.
Taxpayers with questions about the Sonoma County Assessor's Value Decline Program should contact the Assessor's Office at 707-565-1888.
Contacto: Oficina del Tasador al (707) 565-1888
El Tasador del Condado de Sonoma anunci� hoy, que varias compa��as privadas est�n enviando cartas ofreciendo sus servicios de llevar a cabo una reducci�n de los impuestos sobre la propiedad a propietarios de casas en este condado. Estas compa��as est�n cobrando cientos de d�lares para presentar una solicitud de reducci�n del valor en nombre del due�o de la propiedad. Algunas compa��as incluso est�n implementando una multa si dicha solicitud se recibe despu�s de la fecha de plazo que ellos han implementado arbitrariamente.
Propietarios del Condado de Sonoma deben saber que es posible de que sus propiedades sean incluidas en una revisi�n masiva de los valores que la Oficina del Tasador llevara a cabo. M�s de 100,000 casas unifamiliares y condominios adquiridos entre julio 2002 y junio del 2009 est�n siendo objeto de esta revisi�n. En algunas �reas, compras que fueron hechas antes de las fechas mencionadas tambi�n ser�n examinadas. Todos los propietarios que tengan el valor de su propiedad ajustados recibir�n una carta a finales de agosto en las cual se les notificaran los resultados de la revisi�n.
Los propietarios de inmuebles cuya propiedad no se incluyeron en la revisi�n, pueden presentar una "Solicitud Para una Reducci�n Temporal al Valor de su Propiedad". Esta solicitud es f�cil de completar y de f�cil acceso en nuestra pagina electr�nica: www.sonoma-county.org/assessor o en la oficina del Tasador. La solicitud ser� revisada y, si se justifica una reducci�n, el valor imponible se reducir�. La fecha para presentar esta solicitud no debe tardar del 30 de junio del 2010.
Por favor, tome en cuenta que no cobramos por esta revisi�n, o por presentar esta solicitud a nuestra oficina. No tiene que pagar por este servicio que es gratuito.
Todo propietario tiene que saber de que las solicitudes de las compa��as privadas que ofrecen llevar a cabo una reducci�n en los impuestos a la propiedad deben indicar claramente que no se trata de una agencia gubernamental y que sus servicios no son aprobados o ratificados por una agencia gubernamental. La omisi�n de dicha notificaci�n constituye una violaci�n a la ley de California. Si usted o alguien que usted conoce recibi� una solicitaci�n ilegal, por favor, p�ngase en contacto con el Fiscal del Distrito del Condado de Sonoma en la Divisi�n de Derechos al Consumidor al tel�fono (707) 565-3161.
Si tiene algunas preguntas acerca de la "Reducci�n Temporal al Valor Tasado de su Propiedad", p�ngase en contacto con la Oficina del Tasador al 707-565-1888.
Thursday, January 5, 2006The Sonoma County Assessor's Office announced that properties damaged in the recent storms may be eligible for a partial property tax reduction. Bill Rousseau, Chief Deputy Assessor, explained that California property tax law and local Sonoma County ordinances contain provisions for reassessment of property damaged or destroyed by misfortune or calamity.
To be eligible for a partial property tax reduction the following requirements must be met: 1) An application must be filed with the Sonoma County Assessor's Office. 2) The application must be made by the person who was the owner of the damaged property on January 1, or the person who will be liable for the property taxes for the next fiscal year. 3) The damage must have occurred by misfortune or calamity, without fault of the owner or applicant. 4) The application must be filed within 12 months of the date on which the disaster occurred or within 60 days following the date the application form is mailed to you from the Assessor's office. 5) The damage to your property must exceed $10,000 in value loss.
Mr. Rousseau indicated that the property tax relief is normally granted from the date of the disaster to the date the property is repaired or replaced. All repaired new construction that is considered "repair or replacement" is protected under Proposition 13's base year value premise, and will not be subject to a new reassessment. In addition, business owners may also be eligible for property tax relief on their reported business assets, excluding business inventory.
To download a copy of the "Calamity Damaged Reassessment" application, visit the Forms page of the Assessor's website at http://www.sonoma-county.org/assessor.
Tuesday, January 3, 2006The Sonoma County Assessor's Office announced recently that as of January 1, 2006, certain real estate transfers between Registered Domestic Partners now qualify for a change in ownership property tax exclusion. Bill Rousseau, Chief Deputy Assessor, explained that this exclusion, which was enacted by Senate Bill 565, creates an exclusion from reassessment that is similar to the interspousal exclusion, but does not confer spousal status to registered domestic partners.
The changes reflected in this new legislation exclude transfers of real property from reassessment between registered domestic partners. Registered Domestic Partners are two persons who have filed a Declaration of Domestic Partnership with the California Secretary of State pursuant to Family Code Section 297. The two persons may be either (1) members of the same sex or (2) members of the opposite sex where at least one person is over the age of 62 and meets the federal requirements for either old-age insurance benefits or supplemental security income for aged individuals. Domestic partners registered in another state or same-sex married persons licensed in other jurisdictions must register with the California Secretary of State in order to be eligible for this property tax exclusion. This affects California property tax law, but does not change federal tax provisions.
Mr. Rousseau indicated that more specific information on the types of change in ownerships that are excluded from reassessment can be found on the Sonoma County Assessor's website. Any other questions about this new property exclusion can be directed to the Assessor's Office at (707) 565-1888 or the Assessor's website at http://www.sonoma-county.org/assessor.
Wednesday, November 2, 2005The Sonoma County Assessor's Office has announced that property owners are receiving mail from a private firm offering to assist them with filing a Homeowner Exemption for a one-time processing fee of $25.00. Bill Rousseau, Sonoma County Chief Deputy Assessor, wants homeowners to know that Homeowner Exemption forms are available at the Assessor's Office and can be filed at no cost.
The Homeowner Exemption allows you to exempt up to $7,000 of property value from taxation each year if you owned and occupied your home on January 1. Once granted, the exemption remains in effect every year until you no longer qualify for it. You must apply for the exemption within 30 days of a Notice of Supplemental Assessment or in some cases by February 15. A Homeowner Exemption claim form is automatically mailed to you in most cases, but you may also request one at our public service counter or by calling the Assessor's Office at (707) 565-1888.
Please direct questions about this misleading solicitation offering to assist you with filing a Homeowner Exemption or other questions you may have about property tax exemptions to the Assessor's Office Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM at (707) 565-1888; you may also email us with your questions or concerns.