SF seniors’ parcel tax exemption application deadline, June 30

SAN FRANCISCO – June 30 is the last day to submit an application for over $250 in parcel tax exemptions for senior citizen property owners in San Francisco.

Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu reminds eligible property owners to apply with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) before the deadline as the benefit does not rollover automatically and requires reapplication every year.

San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu. CONTRIBUTED

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is in charge of the seniors parcel tax program and exemption process. Seniors aged 65+ who owns and live in their property or if they own a property that is rented to a senior aged 65+, could be eligible to receive an exemption or partial exemption from these parcel taxes. The exemption application must be filed with the SFUSD every year to determine eligibility because the benefit does not rollover year to year.

“Every year taxpayers ask us about these exemptions and may not understand that they need to reapply annually, even if they’ve received it before,” said Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu. “So while the applications are not processed by our office, we believe it is important to be proactive and remind our seniors that this tax savings program exists,” Chu explained.

Qualifying seniors should have received an exemption form in the mail during the month of May. If not, a copy is available on the school district’s website (https://www.sfusd.edu/en/about-sfusd/voter-initiatives/senior-citizen-exemption.html) or you apply in person at the SFUSD’s Senior Exemption Office located at 135 Van Ness Avenue, Room 112, San Francisco, CA 94102.

There are a number of parcel taxes that appear on the property tax bill as a result of voter approved initiatives, including the Quality Teacher & Education Act and the School Facilities Special Tax, which were passed to raise funds for local schools.

In the upcoming 2016-2017 fiscal year, the Quality Teacher & Education Act parcel tax is $236.98 per parcel and the School Facilities Special Tax is $36.06 per single family dwelling or $18.04 per unit in multiple unit complexes.

The deadline for the application and all supporting documents is June 30th, 2016 at 5pm. The San Francisco Unified School District does not accept late applications. For questions call (415) 355-2203 or email the SFUSD Exemptions Office at [email protected].