These are constitutional initiatives passed by California voters.
They provide property tax relief by preventing reassessment when a senior citizen sells his/her existing residence and purchases
or constructs a replacement residence worth the same or less than the original. When
the senior citizen purchases or constructs a new residence, it is not reassessed, if he/she qualifies.
The Assessor transfers the factored base value of the original residence to the replacement residence. Proposition 60 originally
required that the replacement and the original be located in the same county. Later, Proposition 90 enabled this to be modified
by local ordinance.
Only the following counties accept factored base year
value assessments from any of the other 58 counties in California: Alameda, Kern, Los Angeles, Modoc, Orange, San Diego, San
Mateo, Santa Clara And Ventura.
To qualify, the seller of the original residence, or
spouse who resides with the seller, must be at least 55 years of age at
the time of the sale. The replacement property must be of "equal or lesser value" than the
original home. Of course, with all things government, there are some caveats to this. In general, "equal
or lesser value" means the fair market value of the replacement property does not exceed one of the following:
100% of the market value of the original property, if
the replacement property is purchased or newly constructed before the original property is sold.
105% of the market value of the original property, if
the replacement property is purchased or newly constructed within the first year after the original property is sold.
110% of the market value of the original property, if
the replacement property is purchased or newly constructed within the second year after the original property is sold.
You may apply by completing and submitting the necessary
application form within three years of the date you buy your replacement property.
Contact your County Assessor or download the forms at their
web site.