Property tax exemptions reduce the assessed value of qualifying property, lowering the amount of property tax owed. California offers several types of exemptions for homeowners, veterans, religious organizations, nonprofits, and other qualifying entities. Below you will find information about the most common types of exemptions<\/em>.<\/p>\n Learn More:<\/strong> The California State Board of Equalization offers a video seminar on nonprofit property tax exemptions (opens in a new window)<\/a>.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”10px||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_tabs module_id=”exemption-tabs” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_tab title=”Homeowners'” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n If you own and occupy your home as your principal place of residence on January 1 (lien date), you may be eligible for a Homeowners’ Exemption. This exemption reduces the taxable value of your property by $7,000, resulting in a tax savings of approximately $70 to $80 per year.<\/p>\n Option 1<\/strong><\/p>\n If you believe you qualify, please contact our Homeowners’ Exemption unit at 510-272-3770<\/a> so we can provide you with a system-generated claim form specific to your property. This helps ensure the form is pre-filled with the correct information and can be processed more efficiently.<\/p>\n Option 2<\/strong><\/p>\n If you are approaching a filing deadline, you may download and submit the general form available here<\/a> to protect your filing date. However, contacting our office is recommended to avoid delays or processing issues.<\/p>\n If you no longer qualify for the exemption (for example, if you have moved or the property is no longer your principal residence), you must notify us by December 10 of the year you moved out to avoid any penalties.<\/p>\n Please submit your request by using the Request to Remove Homeowners’ Exemption form. For your convenience, the form may also be used to request a mailing address change.<\/p>\n Download Request to Remove Homeowners’ Exemption (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n Phone: (510) 272-3770<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Disabled Veterans'” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]\n The Disabled Veterans’ Exemption reduces the property tax liability on the principal place of residence of qualified veterans who, due to a service-connected injury or disease, have been rated 100% disabled or are being compensated at the 100% rate due to unemployability. An unmarried surviving spouse of a qualified veteran may also claim the exemption.<\/p>\n There are two levels of the Disabled Veterans’ Exemption:<\/p>\n Basic<\/strong> \u2014 The basic exemption, also referred to as the $100,000 exemption, is available to all qualifying claimants. The exemption amount is compounded annually by an inflation factor.<\/p>\n For the 2025\u20132026 assessment year, the basic exemption amount is $175,298<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Low-Income<\/strong> \u2014 The low-income exemption, also referred to as the $150,000 exemption, is available to qualifying claimants whose annual household income does not exceed a specified income limit. The amounts for both the low-income exemption and the annual income limit are compounded annually by an inflation factor.<\/p>\n For the 2025\u20132026 assessment year, the low-income exemption amount is $262,952<\/strong>, and the annual household income limit is $78,718<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In general, in order to qualify for the Disabled Veterans’ Exemption:<\/p>\n To claim this exemption for the first time, please complete Form BOE-261-G, Claim for Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption.<\/p>\n Before submitting your claim, we recommend contacting our Disabled Veterans’ Exemption Unit at 510-272-3770<\/a> or email us at disvet@acgov.org<\/a> so we can review the required documentation with you and help avoid unnecessary delays.<\/p>\n In order to receive 100 percent of the basic exemption in the first year claimed, the claim form must be filed between the date the property or veteran qualifies and on or before the following January 1, or 90 days after the date of qualification, whichever is later.<\/p>\n A one-time filing is only required for the basic exemption; however, annual filing is required for the low-income exemption to ensure the veteran continues to meet the household income limit restriction (claim form must be filed between January 1 and February 15).<\/p>\n To determine eligibility and the timeliness of your claim, the following documentation must be submitted:<\/p>\n Please note that these documents are used to determine eligibility and timeliness. Sensitive medical information may be redacted, and such information is not subject to public inspection.<\/p>\n After submitting your claim and supporting documentation:<\/p>\n Processing times may vary depending on the complexity of the claim.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Veterans'” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]\n If you are a single veteran with assets of less than $5,000, a married veteran with assets of less than $10,000, or an unmarried surviving spouse of an eligible veteran, you may apply for the Veterans’ Exemption of $4,000 applied to the assessed property value. Although it is unnecessary for the veteran to reside on that property in order to qualify, this exemption claim must be filed every year.<\/p>\n If you are a Veteran and currently have and are entitled to a “Homeowners’ Exemption”, that exemption provides greater tax savings ($7,000), and thus you may not find benefit in also filing annually for the “Veterans’ Exemption”.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Servicemember Relief” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]\n Active-duty military personnel stationed outside of California or stationed in California but maintaining legal residence elsewhere, may be eligible for property tax relief under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)<\/strong>. This applies to personal property such as boats, aircraft, and manufactured homes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Under the SCRA, eligible servicemembers may declare the tax situs of their personal property to be their home state or county, rather than Alameda County.<\/p>\n File BOE-261-D (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Declaration)<\/a> with our office or call our boats and aircraft section of the Business Personal Property unit at (510) 272-3838<\/strong><\/a> or email us at assessorboataircraft@acgov.org<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Other Exemptions” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]\n The exemptions below cover a variety of property types and uses, each with specific eligibility requirements. Because qualification depends on how the property is owned and used, we encourage you to review the descriptions below and contact our Other Exemptions Unit at 510-272-6587<\/strong><\/a> or exemptions@acgov.org<\/a> before filing. When emailing, please make sure to put the name of the organization and the assessor’s parcel or account number. This helps ensure the correct exemption is applied and avoids unnecessary delays in processing.<\/p>\n Church Exemption (Property Owned\/Leased by a Church)<\/strong><\/p>\n A Church Exemption may be claimed on property that is owned, leased, or rented by a religious organization and used exclusively for religious worship services (see Revenue & Taxation Code Section 206<\/a>). The organization’s property must be used solely for religious worship and other activities reasonably necessary (church parking, for example) for the accomplishment of the church’s religious purposes.<\/p>\n For purposes of this exemption, “religious worship” generally includes services, rites, or ceremonies that are part of the organization’s religious practice.<\/p>\n Living quarters are not eligible for this exemption but may qualify under the Welfare Exemption provisions. If school and\/or related activities are conducted on the property, a church exemption cannot be claimed, but the property may qualify for a Religious or Welfare Exemption.<\/p>\n Religious Exemption (Property Owned by a Church)<\/strong><\/p>\n Property owned and operated by a church and used for religious worship, preschool, nursery school, kindergarten, school purposes of less than collegiate grade, or for purposes of both schools of collegiate grade and schools less than collegiate grade but excluding property used solely for schools of collegiate grade, may be eligible for a Religious Exemption (see Revenue & Taxation Code Section 207<\/a>). Property used for school purposes only, where the owner does not conduct worship services, does not qualify for the Religious Exemption but may qualify for a Welfare Exemption.<\/p>\n Welfare Exemption (R&T \u00a7214)<\/strong><\/p>\n Property owned and used by qualifying nonprofit organizations exclusively for religious, hospital, scientific, or charitable purposes. Eligibility is based on both the organization and the use of the property. The property must be used exclusively for qualifying purposes, and any non-qualifying or commercial use may affect eligibility. Certain housing programs and other specialized uses may qualify with additional requirements.<\/p>\n College Exemption (R&T \u00a7203)<\/strong><\/p>\n Property owned or leased by nonprofit educational institutions of collegiate grade and used exclusively for educational purposes. The property must be used directly for educational activities. Property used for non-educational or commercial purposes may not qualify.<\/p>\n Public School Exemption (R&T \u00a7202)<\/strong><\/p>\n Property, including leased property, used exclusively for public school purposes by a public school, charter school, community college, state college, state university, or the University of California. The property must be used exclusively for public educational purposes. Any non-qualifying use may affect eligibility.<\/p>\n Free Library \/ Museum Exemption<\/strong><\/p>\n Property used exclusively for free public library or free museum purposes. The property must be open to the public and operated without charge. If the property is not free to the public, it may not qualify under this exemption and may need to be reviewed under the Welfare Exemption.<\/p>\n Lessor’s Exemption<\/strong><\/p>\n Leased property used for qualifying exempt purposes, including public schools, community colleges, state colleges, state universities, nonprofit colleges, free libraries or museums, and religious worship. Eligibility is based on the use of the property by the lessee. Lease terms and use must meet the requirements of the applicable exemption.<\/p>\n Cemetery Exemption<\/strong><\/p>\n Property used or held exclusively for the permanent deposit of human remains, or for the care and maintenance of such property. Portions of the property used for non-cemetery or commercial purposes may not qualify.<\/p>\n We are providing the commonly used exemption claim forms below for your convenience. Click on any form number to find and download it from our Assessor Forms<\/a> page.<\/p>\n Welfare Exemption<\/strong><\/p>\n Welfare Exemption – Supplemental & Housing Programs<\/strong><\/p>\n College Exemption<\/strong><\/p>\n Public School Exemption<\/strong><\/p>\n Free Library \/ Museum Exemption<\/strong><\/p>\n Lessor's Exemption<\/strong><\/p>\n Cemetery Exemption<\/strong><\/p>\n For information about institutional exemptions, contact our Other Exemptions Unit at (510) 272-6587<\/a> or exemptions@acgov.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_tab][\/et_pb_tabs][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”20px||40px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n For questions about exemptions, please contact the Alameda County Assessor’s Office:<\/span><\/p>\nHomeowners’ Exemption<\/h2>\n
How to Apply<\/h3>\n
Removing a Homeowners’ Exemption<\/h3>\n
Contact<\/h3>\n
Disabled Veterans’ Exemption<\/h2>\n
Levels of Exemption<\/h3>\n
Eligibility Requirements<\/h3>\n
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How to Apply<\/h3>\n
Filing Deadlines<\/h3>\n
Documentation Required<\/h3>\n
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Important Notes<\/h3>\n
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What to Expect<\/h3>\n
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Veteran Exemption<\/h2>\n
Servicemember Civil Relief Act<\/h2>\n
How to Apply<\/h3>\n
Other Exemptions<\/h2>\n
Churches & Religious<\/h3>\n
Other Exemptions<\/h3>\n
Claim Forms<\/h3>\n
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Contact Us<\/h2>\n
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