Southern California Wildfires: How to Get Property Tax Relief and Save Thousands
The wildfires in Southern California have been devastating, leaving many homeowners and business owners facing unimaginable losses. Thankfully, DTLACPA, based in downtown Los Angeles, remains safe—though the air quality has been terrible. But we know many in our community haven’t been as lucky.
If you or someone you know has lost their home or business,
we want you to know that financial relief is available.
All Malibu residents told to prepare to evacuate even if they're not under an order
While it won’t undo the damage, these tax relief programs could help ease the burden as you rebuild.
Property Tax Relief Can Help You Recover.
California offers two key tax relief programs for those affected by wildfires:
Temporary Property Tax Relief (Form ADS-820) – Lowers your property tax bill while your home is being repaired.
Property Tax Base Transfers (Props. 50, 171, & 19) – Lets you transfer your original property tax rate to a new home, even if it’s more expensive.
These programs could save you thousands of dollars — here’s how they work.
Temporary Property Tax Relief: Lower Your Tax Bill While You Rebuild
If your home or business suffered $10,000 or more in damage, you can apply for temporary property tax relief under LA County’s Misfortune and Calamity Property Tax Relief Program. This program reduces your assessed property value, meaning you pay lower property taxes while your property is damaged or under repair.
How Much Can You Save?
Let’s say:
• Your home was worth $600,000 before the fire.
• Your property tax rate was 1.2%, so you were paying $7,200 per year in property taxes.If the fire caused $400,000 in damage, your property’s new assessed value may be lowered to $200,000. That means your new property tax bill would drop to $2,400 per year—a savings of $4,800 annually until repairs are completed.
How to Apply?
📅 Deadline: You must file within 12 months of the damage.
➣ Download Form ADS-820: assessor.lacounty.gov/tax-relief/disaster-relief ?
➣ Call (213) 974-3211 for assistance.
This relief ensures that you’re not overpaying in property taxes while you recover.
Property Tax Base Transfers:
Keep Your Lower Tax Rate on a New HomeFor homeowners whose homes were completely destroyed, California allows you to transfer your original property tax rate to a new home—even if it’s more expensive.Without this relief, you’d typically be taxed on your new home’s market value, which could mean a much higher tax bill.
How This Works: An Example
Before the fire:
• Your home was worth $500,000.
• Your property tax rate was 1.2%, so you paid $6,000 per year in property taxes.
After losing your home, you purchase a new home for $800,000. Normally, your property tax bill would jump to $9,600 per year.But under Propositions 50, 171, and 19, you can transfer your old tax base, keeping your tax bill at $6,000 instead of $9,600—saving you $3,600 annually for as long as you own the home.
Which Tax Base Transfer Rule Applies to You?
✅ Proposition 50 – Allows tax base transfers within the same county.
✅ Proposition 171 – Allows transfers to another county, but only if the new county has adopted the ordinance.
✅ Proposition 19 – Allows disaster victims to purchase a more expensive home and still transfer their tax base, with an adjustment for the price difference.
How to Apply?
Visit your local county assessor’s office or check assessor.lacounty.gov for more details.
Why This Tax Relief Matters?
Losing a home or business is devastating. While these programs can’t undo the loss, they can help relieve some of the financial stress that comes with rebuilding.
➣ Temporary Property Tax Relief ensures you don’t overpay taxes while your home is damaged.
➣ Tax Base Transfers let you keep your lower tax rate even if you have to buy a new home.
But these benefits aren’t automatic—you must apply within the required deadlines to receive them.
What You Should Do Next?
✔️ If your home or business was damaged, apply for temporary property tax relief to lower your tax bill immediately.
✔️ If your home was destroyed and you need to move, consider transferring your property tax base before purchasing a new home.
✔️ If you know someone affected by the wildfires, please share this information—it could save them thousands.
We’ll also keep you updated if any additional tax relief programs are announced.If you have any questions about these programs or need help navigating your tax situation, DTLA CPA is here for you.
Reach out—we’re ready to assist in any way we can. Stay safe, and let’s support one another through this.