Peter Duncan has sent out some great information concerning: TAX REDUCTION MAY BE POSSIBLE IF YOU ARE OVER 65 AND OWN YOUR OWN HOME. He writes:
You may ask for exemption from various parcel taxes on the following list which is from the County Tax Collector’s website at:
http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=2100
(Note that the Tax Collector regards these as “levies” not taxes!)
Levies Offering Exemptions for Seniors 65+
2009-2010 EXEMPTIONS
| Code | Description | Phone | Reduction | Apply By | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CL | W. Contra Costa Scls Parcel Tax | (800) 273-5167 | 100% | Annually, 7/10 | NA |
| CO | Martinez USD Parcel Tax | (925) 335-5908 | 100% | Annually, 7/12 | NA |
| EI | Mt Diablo Mello Roos | (925) 682-8000 x4004 | 100% | 1X, 3/1-6/1* | NA |
| GZ | Pittsburg USD Parcel Tax2 | (925) 472-2300 x2306 | 100% | 1X, 5/1 | NA |
| H3 | Orinda USD 2009-B | (925) 258-6210 | 100% | Annually, 6/15 | NA |
| HO | Walnut Creek Schools | (925) 944-6850 x103 | 100% | 1X 5/1* | Low |
| IB | Lafayette Parcel Tax | (925) 927-3505 | 100% | Annually,1/1-6/25 | NA |
| IC | Moraga School District | (925) 377-4108 | 100% | Annually, 6/30 | Low |
| JF | Acalanes School | (925) 942-9608 | 100% | 1X 5/1* | NA |
| JI | Orinda Union SD | (925) 258-6210 | 100% | Annually 6/15 | Low |
| NP | Sam Ramon Valley Scls 2009-c | (925) 552-2905 | 100%2 | 1X 5/31* | NA |
| KA | EBRPD: L&L District | (510) 544-2424 | 50% | Annually, 7/14 | Low |
| NT | EBRPD: Measure CC-Zone 1 | (510) 544-2424 | 50% | July 13 | low |
*Must reapply if move to new location.
NON EXEMPTIONS
There is NO SENIOR EXEMPTION ON ANY G.O.BOND – (Ad Valorem Assessment)
The way it works is that one looks at one’s tax bill at the “levies” at the left of the page. If the code letters in the table above match what you have on your tax bill, call the phone number listed and ask them to send you the form to apply for a “Senior Citizen Parcel tax Reduction Claim”. Or you can get the forms off the web, with knowledge and luck.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
An angry Ms. Riki Sorenson, president of the Orinda Union School District, told me last year that Orinda’s senior citizens have so much money that they do not need a property-tax exemption. She said the Aclanes Union High School District offers a senior -citizen exemption only becuase Rossmoor is in the Acalanes district. Currently, to qualify for a senior exemption in Orinda, a family of one to four people must have an annual income of less than $43,000 per year.
Richard S. Colman
Orinda, CA
Dec. 9, 2009