Letter from attorney to opposing counsel requesting documentation concerning homestead exemption for change of venue motion.
Letter from attorney to opposing counsel requesting documentation concerning homestead exemption for change of venue motion.
The claim form, BOE-266, Claim for Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption, is available from the county assessor. A person filing for the first time on a property may file anytime after the property or claimant becomes eligible, but no later than February 15 to receive the full exemption for that year.
The new law established a three-fold homestead acquisition process: file an application, improve the land, and file for deed of title. Any U.S. citizen, or intended citizen, who had never borne arms against the U.S. Government could file an application and lay claim to 160 acres of surveyed Government land.
Filing a homestead declaration is a wise and proactive measure for homeowners in California. It provides a legal shield against creditors, preserves your home equity, and offers peace of mind in an unpredictable world.
Filing a homestead declaration typically requires three steps. Complete a homestead declaration form. Sign your declaration in front of a notary. Record the homestead declaration form with your county recorder's office.
As of January 1, 2024, the new minimum homestead exemption is $349,720 and the new maximum is $699,426. For Riverside County, the 2024 homestead exemption is $612,000. For San Bernardino County, the 2024 homestead exemption is $475,000.
Declared Homestead. Currently, the California homestead exemption is automatic, meaning that a homestead declaration does not need to be filed with the county clerk. Under the new 2021 law, $300,000–$600,000 of a home's equity cannot be touched by judgment creditors.
The California Constitution provides a $7,000 reduction in the taxable value for a qualifying owner-occupied home.