Wildfires property tax relief announced

SAN DIEGO – County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk Ernest Dronenburg advise all property owners whose property was damaged or destroyed during the recent wildfires that property tax relief is available. This tax relief program requires the reassessment of the property to reflect its damaged condition. The reduced value will remain in effect until such time as the property is rebuilt or repaired.

More importantly, after the property is rebuilt or repaired, the owners can retain their previous taxable value if the property is rebuilt in a like or similar manner. This means that the base property tax assessment will not increase beyond what it was prior to the fire.

Property tax relief is available for any property damage, which includes houses and out-buildings, commercial and industrial properties, and manufactured homes. Damage to vehicles and the contents of a home such as furniture are not eligible for this tax relief because it is not taxable.

“The Assessor’s office will be proactively mailing property tax relief applications to affected property owners,” Dronenburg said. “I would also like to strongly encourage all property owners who suffered fire damage to their property in excess of $10,000 to contact my office for the necessary claim form at (619) 531-4993 or by visiting the Assessor’s website at http://www.sdarcc.com.