For many Santa Cruz County residents, property taxes are one of the largest annual household expenses. The Assessor's Office is responsible for determining property values — but we're equally committed to making sure every property owner has the information they need to lower their tax burden wherever possible.
California law provides a number of exemptions and programs that may reduce your property tax bill. The Assessor's Office administers several of these, including:
- Exemptions for homeowners, veterans, and seniors
- Exclusions that allow certain property transfers without triggering a reassessment
- Temporary reductions in assessed value when a property has declined in value
Explore the programs in the menu on the left to find out if you qualify. Some programs have filing deadlines, so we encourage you to review your options early.