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Client resource · 2026

California disabled veteran property tax exemption

Here's exactly how to claim it — step by step, county by county — for San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles.

$180,671

Basic exemption (2026) off assessed value

$271,009

Low-income exemption (2026) · income under $81,131

~$1,987

Est. basic savings per year

Cost to file

2026 amounts per the CA State Board of Equalization. For the January 1, 2027 lien date the BOE has announced $185,889 (basic) and $278,836 (low-income, household income under $83,474). Savings assume a ~1.1% effective tax rate.

New law signed September 28, 2026SB 296 makes this exemption much bigger starting with 2027–28 property taxes: 50% of your home's value exempt (up to $1M), or 100% if household income is $83,474 or less. See what SB 296 means for you and estimate your savings →

The Basics

What is the exemption?

California reduces the assessed value of your primary residence if you're a 100% service-connected disabled veteran (or paid at 100% through TDIU). That lowers your property tax bill every year — no refinance, no sale, nothing else to do once it's on file.

Basic exemption

$180,671 off assessed value (2026). Any qualifying veteran, regardless of income. File once — it renews automatically as long as you and the home still qualify.

Low-income exemption

$271,009 off assessed value (2026) when household income is under $81,131. Household income includes VA disability pay, Social Security and a spouse's wages. Must be filed every year.

VMG pro tip: At a ~1.1% tax rate, the basic exemption is worth roughly $166 a month. Tell your loan officer before you close — we'll plan your escrow around it, and once it's granted your monthly payment drops.

Eligibility

Who qualifies?

100% service-connected disability rating from the VA
TDIU — rated at 100% because you're unable to work due to service-connected disability
Blind in both eyes, or lost the use of two or more limbs, due to service
Unmarried surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran
The home is your primary residence in California
Doesn't apply to rentals or second homes
Reduces your assessed value — it doesn't erase the whole tax bill

Get Ready

Documents you'll need

Form BOE-261-G — the claim form, free from your county assessor
DD-214 — your discharge paperwork
VA rating decision letter — showing 100% (or TDIU) and the effective date
Surviving spouses: marriage certificate and death certificate
Low-income claims: household income documentation

No DD-214? Request it free through milConnect (milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil) or the National Archives at 1-866-272-6272.

Step by Step

How to file

Gather your documents. DD-214, VA rating letter and anything else above. Send copies — keep your originals.
Get Form BOE-261-G: download it for your county here, or get it from your county assessor (links below). See our page-by-page walkthrough of the form →
Fill it out. Property address, parcel number (on your tax bill), rating and effective date. Sign it.
Submit it to your county assessor — by email, mail or in person, depending on the county.
Watch for approval. The exemption shows up on your property tax bill under "Exemptions."
Check your bill. Don't see it? Call your assessor's exemption line (below).

Don't Miss These

Filing deadlines

First-time claim

Within 90 days of qualifying, or by the Jan 1 after — whichever is later	100%
After that window (first qualifying year)	85%

Low-income, every year

Jan 1 – Feb 15	100%
Feb 16 – Dec 10	90%
After Dec 10	85%

Just bought a home? File right away, and if you receive a Notice of Supplemental Assessment, respond within the deadline on the notice (typically 30 days).

County by County

Search "Disabled Veterans' Exemption" on the assessor's site for the current form and filing options
assessor.lacounty.gov →

VMG note: LA can take longer to process — file as soon as you close.

Already Own Your Home?

You may be owed a refund

Ask about prior years

If you've owned your home while qualifying and never filed, you may be able to recover some of the taxes you've already paid. When a VA rating is granted retroactively, the exemption can apply back to the rating's effective date, with refunds available for up to eight years. How far back you can go — and at what percentage — depends on your situation, so ask your assessor.

Call your county assessor, ask about prior-year disabled veterans' exemption claims, and have your rating letter (with its effective date) ready.

Common Questions

Questions veterans ask us

Does this eliminate my property taxes?

No. California reduces your assessed value — it doesn't erase the whole bill. At about a 1.1% effective rate, the basic exemption saves roughly $1,987 a year. (Some states, like Texas and Florida, offer full exemptions for 100% disabled veterans; California does not.)

What if I'm rated 70% or 90%?

You need a 100% rating or TDIU for this exemption. If your rating changes to 100%, file right away — the exemption follows your rating's effective date.

Does it transfer if I move?

No. You'll file a new claim for your new home.

Can my spouse keep it if I pass away?

An unmarried surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran can claim the exemption on their primary residence.

Do I need to refile every year?

Basic: no — file once. Low-income: yes, every year by February 15 for the full amount.

A note from Joey: "This is the guide I wish someone had handed me after I got out. Most veterans I talk to have never heard of this exemption — and some have owned their homes for years without claiming it. If you have questions, call us. If you know another veteran who should see this, share it. That's what it's for."
— Joey Kubes, Retired USMC · Veteran Mortgage Guys

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