I want to express my deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in these devastating wildfires, and to those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. The scale of this disaster is truly heartbreaking, and my thoughts are with every resident affected by these tragic events.
So far, we’ve received reports of thousands of properties and structures destroyed in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena wildfires, with possibly even more as the recovery process unfolds. For those who have lost so much, the road ahead will be challenging, and I want to assure you that my office is here to support you.
I appreciate that property taxes are not high on the list of things to worry about right now as so many are focused on housing and safety, but financial issues will soon be a major issue for the victims of the fires.
Under California law, if your property, your home or business, has been damaged or destroyed by fire, you may qualify for property tax relief under the Misfortune and Calamity Program. This program allows my office to reduce the assessed value of your property, which is what your property taxes are based upon, to be reduced to reflect the damage.
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By filing a claim for Misfortune & Calamity relief within one year of the incident, properties that have sustained a minimum of $10,000 in damage or destroyed may be eligible for a refund of taxes already paid and lower annual tax bills until the property is repaired or rebuilt.
You must file the Application for Reassessment – Misfortune and Calamity claim, which is available online at ADS-820 Misfortune & Calamity e-Form and by social media at @lacassessor. All you have to do is fill it out and submit it right there.
The claim has to be filed with my office within 12 months of the fire, or a flood, earthquake or any other natural disaster. The savings can be for a total loss of the property or a percentage of the damage as long as it’s $10,000 or more. The percentage is calculated by the appraiser using a standard formula, oftentimes in conjunction with other factors such as existing insurance.
The filing of this claim also facilitates coordination with the Treasurer and Tax Collector, allowing taxpayers who pay property taxes directly, not through an impound account with a mortgage lender, to defer their current year property taxes without incurring penalties.
We are working closely with our County partners to identify impacted properties and will assist homeowners and businesses through every step of this process. For all claims, we aim to process them as soon as possible.
I also encourage property owners impacted by the fires to register for a personal e-Service account associated with their property on the Assessor’s website. By registering a personal and confidential account, property owners can keep the Assessor’s Office informed of their contact information and access the status of their claims. Without updated contact information, the Assessor’s Office will be forced to rely on the mailing address for property, which may have been destroyed in the fire. Property owners can create an account on the Assessor’s website under “My Account.”
Again, the M&C claim forms can be submitted online at ADS-820 Misfortune & Calamity e-Form or by phone at (213) 974-8658. Please avail yourself of this property tax relief program.
