Property tax assistance now available for O.C. homeowners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Shari L. Freidenrich, (714) 834-7625, Treasurer@ttc.ocgov.com

DATE: September 27, 2016

Property Tax Assistance Now Available for Homeowners!

Orange County Treasurer Shari Freidenrich announces the reinstatement of the California Property Tax Postponement Program (PTP) and that the application and accompanying information is available on the Office of the State Controller’s website at sco.ca.gov/ardtax_prop_tax_postponement.html, by calling 800- 952-5661, or by emailing the state at postponement@sco.ca.gov.

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 2016-17 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 has been working 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% 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 from October 1, 2016 through February 10, 2017. The PTP only covers current property year taxes and not any prior year’s delinquent property taxes. Program participants must reapply each year. Funding under the program is limited and available to applicants on a first-come-first-serve basis. 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 at ttc.ocgov.com and then on the Property Tax Postponement icon to access the State’s PTP website.