How to apply for California Disabled Veterans' Property Tax Exemption (Low-Income)

Who it's for

California exempts a portion of a disabled veteran's principal residence from property tax. The low-income tier exempts roughly the first $263,000 of assessed value for veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 100% by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (or who are receiving compensation at the 100% rate due to unemployability). The exemption is also available to unremarried surviving spouses of qualifying veterans, including survivors of service members who died on active duty. For a typical California home, this translates to roughly $2,000–$3,000 per year in property tax savings. The exemption is in addition to — and replaces — the standard Homeowners' Exemption; a homeowner can claim one or the other, not both.

What you'll need

• VA disability rating letter showing 100% service-connected disability OR documentation of receipt of compensation at the 100% rate due to unemployability
• Discharge papers (DD-214) showing character of service
• Recent property tax bill or deed
• Proof of household income (Social Security award letter, pension statements, prior-year tax return)
• For surviving spouses: marriage certificate plus the veteran's death certificate

Where to apply

Step by step

1. Confirm eligibility before applying. You must be a disabled veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 100% by the VA — or receiving compensation at the 100% rate due to individual unemployability, blindness in both eyes, or loss of use of two or more limbs. Unremarried surviving spouses of qualifying veterans, including survivors of service members who died on active duty or of a service-connected cause, may also apply.
2. Gather your military and VA documents. You will need your VA disability rating letter showing 100% service-connected disability (or documentation of compensation at the 100% rate due to unemployability) and your DD-214 discharge papers showing character of service.
3. Collect your property documents. Have a recent property tax bill or deed ready to show the home is your principal residence.
4. Gather proof of household income for the low-income tier. Acceptable documents include a Social Security award letter, pension statements, and your prior-year tax return.
5. If you are a surviving spouse, also collect your marriage certificate and the veteran's death certificate.
6. Apply online through your California County Assessor's office. Search for your specific county assessor's website to find the online application portal for this exemption.
7. Submit your completed application along with all required documents through the online portal.

What to expect: After submitting, your County Assessor's office will review your application and documents. Processing times vary, so contact your county assessor directly for an estimate of when to expect a decision. If approved, the exemption will reduce the assessed value of your principal residence by roughly the first $263,000, which typically translates to around $2,000–$3,000 per year in property tax savings. Note that this exemption replaces the standard Homeowners' Exemption — you may claim one or the other, but not both. Because this is the low-income tier, income re-certification is required every year to keep the exemption active, so watch for renewal notices from your county assessor and respond promptly to avoid any lapse in your benefit.

Renewals

annual (income re-certification for low-income tier; basic tier is one-time)