Low income seniors or disabled taxpayers can now postpone their O.C. property taxes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 27, 2018

Property Tax Postponement Program Accepting Applications on October 1, 2018!

Orange County Treasurer Shari Freidenrich announces that the California Property Tax Postponement Program (PTP) application period opens October 1, 2018. Information is available on the Office of the State Controller’s website, by calling 800-952-5661 or by emailing the state at postponement@sco.ca.gov. Funding under the program is limited and available to applicants on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The PTP, which has been reinstated after being suspended by the Governor in 2009, offers housing security for seniors and homeowners with disabilities. The program allows eligible homeowners who are blind, disabled or at least 62 years of age to defer Fiscal Year 2018-19 property taxes on their principal residence if they meet certain established criteria.

“Interested applicants will need to submit a copy of their current year property tax bill along with other required documents,” stated Treasurer Freidenrich. An internet copy of your property tax bill is acceptable and can be found online at ocgov.com/octaxbill, by entering your APN or property address. Applicants can also access the property tax website by scanning the QR code below and then entering your APN or property address. The California Association of County Treasurers and Tax Collectors worked with the State Controller for over two years to reinstate this program to assist low income seniors or blind or disabled taxpayers.

To be eligible to apply for the PTP, applicants must be either blind, disabled or at least 62 years old. Applicants must also own and occupy the property as the principal place of residence, have a total household income of $35,500 or less, have at least 40 percent equity in the property, and must not have a reverse mortgage amount, among other requirements. Owners of mobile or manufactured homes are also ineligible to apply for the program. The Office of the State Controller will be accepting applications October 1, 2018, through February 10, 2019. The PTP only covers current property year taxes and not any prior year’s delinquent property taxes.

Program participants must reapply each year. Applicants are responsible for paying their property taxes on time until their PTP application is approved. If a PTP application is approved after a property tax payment is made, the applicant will receive a refund for the amount paid less the amount due under the PTP program. Homeowners can also click on the Treasurer’s website and then on the Property Tax Postponement icon to access the State’s PTP website.