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Those who have owned their homes for a while,
easily see the value of Proposition 13. Many of us remember that before
Proposition 13 the average property tax rate in California was three percent of
assessed value and there was no limit on annual increases. In those days, if a
house on your block sold for much more than you paid for your house, you
shuddered in fear when you received your next property tax bill. Chances are,
your new taxes would be based on what your new neighbor was willing to pay for
his home. Things got so bad in the late 1970s that people were actually losing
their homes because of uncontrolled tax increases.
The assessment rate is now only one percent
for all California property and annual tax increases are limited to no more
than two percent. When property is sold it is then reassessed at market value,
but the rate remains at one percent and the new owner is then protected by the
two percent cap on annual increases.
What good is Proposition 13 to me?
Every owner of property in the state is covered. Prop.13 is Article XIII A of
the California Constitution.
How come I'm paying more in property taxes
than some of my neighbors who have similar houses?
Under Proposition 13
you determine how much your property taxes will be. Your taxes are not based on
your neighbors', but are based on the price you voluntarily agreed to pay for
your new home.
We get all the same services, but I pay
more. How can this be fair?
In California, just like other states,
services have never been related to the amount you pay in property taxes. If
services were tied to what you paid, you might see four fire trucks assigned to
a costly home while only one would protect a less expensive residence. In fact,
property taxes are not allocated for specific services. They go into the
general fund along with other taxes and local public officials determine how
the money will be spent.
It still seems like I'm paying too
much!
We all feel that way, but in fact, thanks to Proposition 13, the
tax rate for all Californians is only a third of what it was. If you think
things are bad now, multiply your tax bill by three and see what you get.
That's easy for you to say; you're still
paying less than I am.
That may be true, but I've been paying for
years. It's the neighbors that were here ahead of you that paid for all these
local improvements you now enjoy.
I still don't see what good Proposition 13
is to me.
Besides lowering your tax rate, it makes your taxes
predictable. In a few years when new houses sell in the neighborhood for two or
three times what you paid, you will be protected. Under Proposition 13 your
property taxes can't go up more than two percent a year. You are going to find
that important when you get around to planning your retirement. So, if you ever
find yourself on a fixed income, you may be able to keep your home.
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