The California State Controller's Office published the current year Property Tax Postponement Application and Instructions on its website. To claim the exemption, the homeowner must make a one-time filing with the county assessor where the property is located.Complete a homestead declaration form. You may submit the Lifeline Application one of four ways. By mail: Office of Finance Utility Tax Exemption Unit P.O. Box 53233. You generally need to apply for the exemption only once, and the deadline for applications is usually April 10th each year. The Senior Exemption application deadline is July 15. No applications are accepted from August 15 through December 31. The General Homestead Exemption is granted automatically in most cases. In addition, the Assessor sends an application to every new homeowner pre-filled with information that identifies the property and the sales transaction.