Proposition 19

Proposition 19 - The Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, & Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act

On November 3, 2020, California voters approved Proposition 19, The Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act. Proposition 19 expands certain transfer benefits for homeowners who are 55 or older, or who are severely disabled, or who are victims of a Governor declared disaster, wishing to transfer their property tax benefits, to another home in California will have more options:

1. A homeowner can purchase a higher value property. The transfer no longer will have to be a property of equal or lesser value. The prior benefit can be transferred and an upward adjustment is added for the difference.
2. Expanded ability of inter-county transfers between any two counties, not just counties with local ordinances.
3. A qualifying transfer can be made up to 3 times, not just once and for Governor declared disaster victims, there is no limit on the number of times the benefit can be used.

The language of Proposition 19 will need some legislative clarification particularly with regards to the definitions of family farms and the principal residency requirement, partial interest transactions, and multi-heir transfers.

Additional information regarding Proposition 19 can be found on the Board of Equalization's Website at: Proposition 19 – Board of Equalization