Prop 8 - Property Tax Relief

Owners of properties that have suffered a severe decline in market value may be eligible for property tax relief. In 1978, California voters passed Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment that allows a temporary reduction in taxable assessed value when real property suffers a decline in current market value. When the market value of a property on the January 1 lien date falls below the assessed value, the assessor is obligated to review the property and enroll the lesser of the two values. If it is determined that the market value of your home is less than the assessed value, your property's assessed value will be adjusted to the level of its current market value, and consequently, your property taxes will be reduced.

How can I apply?

The Solano County assessor office has implemented its own procedures for Prop 8 applications. All you have to do is write a letter of explanation and mail it to the Assessor's Office. Be sure to include your parcel number and daytime telephone number. Also include information such as comparable sales in your neighborhood that will help justify a reduction of your assessed value (see What Info Do I Need section below)

Clerk of the Assessment Appeals Board
675 Texas Street
Fairfield CA 94533
or by calling (707) 784-6100

For more information you can download the Solano County Prop 8 brochure here » or go to the Solano County Website here »

2) What Information Do I Need?

You should be prepared to provide the assessor with information that supports your opinion that the market value is less than the assessed value (for instructions on how to ascertain your current assessed value see How Do I Find My Property's Assessed Value section below). The best supporting documents are comps, or information on sales of comparable sold properties in your neighborhood. You should select 2 or 3 comparable sales that sold as close to the January 1 lien date as possible, but no later than March 31. To find comps, match the year built, Sq. Ft. Living Space, # Bedrooms, # Bathrooms, and lot size to your property. If you are interested in finding comps, that match your property please give us a call at 707-297-6580 or use the contact page to send us an email. We'd be more than happy to help you in this process.

3) How Do I Find My Current Assessed Value of My Home?

To find your property's assessed value go to the Solano County Website > View Online Property Information and input your property address - Street Number / Street Name / City and hit search.

On the following screen that returns your property information Select Property Characteristics

On the following page look down to the bottom left column and the page will note the most current property assessment on the Solano County Tax Roll. This is the number you want to do your comps against.

Is This a Permanent Reduction?

A property that has been reassessed under Proposition 8 is subsequently reviewed each year to determine it's lien date value. The assessed value of a property with a Prop 8 value in place may increase each lien date by more than the standard 2% maximum allowed for properties assessed under Proposition 13- however unless there is a change in ownership, or new construction, a property's assessed value can never increase above its factored Prop 13 base year value after adjusting for the annual increase. In other words, if the market turns around, your property taxes may increase more rapidly than they would have otherwise, but will never exceed the level (with a 2% annual inflation adjustment factored in) they were at before you received the Prop 8 decrease.

What If I Don't Agree?

If you disagree with the county assessor's findings, you may file a formal appeal with the County Assessment Appeals Board or the County Board of Equalization. These Boards are independent bodies established to resolve differences in property value opinions between county assessor and property owners. You must file your appeal on an Application For Changed Assessment between July 2 and either September 15 or November 15 of the fiscal year you are disputing. More information about the appeals process can be found at the Board of Equalization Website here »

If you have any questions about this topic or any Real Estate issue please contact us at 707-297-6580.