The state Board of Equalization (BOE) is informing all California homeowners, small businesses and other property owners they may be eligible for a cancellation of penalties and other charges — on a case-by-case basis — if demonstrated economic hardship due to COVID-19 prevents them from paying their property taxes by April 10.
In a joint statement, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and the California Association of County Treasurers and Tax Collectors (CACTTC), organizations that represent the county tax collectors, pledged to provide economic relief for residents and small businesses facing hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the statement, “Counties will use all existing authority” to cancel penalties and other charges for homeowners, small businesses, and other property owners that are unable to pay their property taxes due to circumstances caused by COVID-19 — again, on a case-by-case basis.
“This is much-needed good news for many California property taxpayers, and I thank and commend CSAC and CACTTC for offering their help to those struggling to pay their property tax obligations,” BOE Chairman Antonio Vazquez stated.
However, property owners who can afford to pay are urged to pay on time, as schools and local governments depend heavily on the spring property tax payment revenue to continue funding much-needed services, including their crucial response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Property taxes only go to local governments, schools, counties, cities and special districts — not to the state or federal government — and directly fund education, health care, hospitals, welfare services, fire protection, and homelessness efforts, to name a few.