Skip to main content
UniHealth

All Santa Clara programs

Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption

A $7,000 reduction in the assessed value of an owner-occupied home (about $70 a year in tax); one filing with the Assessor continues each year while the owner lives there.

Food & money · Santa Clara County · Reviewed 2026-09-04

Check my possible matches

A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.

UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.

What to know

Why it may fit
Your circumstances can be checked against the program’s published guidelines.
What to do next
Takes $7,000 off your home's taxable value. That saves about $70 a year in property tax. You file once with your county assessor, and it keeps going while you live there.
Who runs it
County of Santa Clara Office of the Assessor under State Board of Equalization rules

What the program may consider

  • You own the home and live in it as your main home on the January 1 lien date
  • BOE-266 claim filed with the Assessor; full exemption when filed by February 15
  • You are not also claiming the Disabled Veterans' Exemption on the same home

How to get it

Takes $7,000 off your home's taxable value. That saves about $70 a year in property tax. You file once with your county assessor, and it keeps going while you live there.

How to apply

Homeowners' Exemption claim

File it with the assessor in the county where your home is.

  • MailSanta Clara County Assessor, Exemptions Unit: Office of the Assessor, Exemptions Unit, 70 W. Hedding St, East Wing, 5th Floor, San Jose, CA 95110
  • In personSanta Clara County Assessor's office: 70 W. Hedding St, East Wing, 5th Floor, San Jose, CA 95110
  • PhoneSanta Clara County Assessor, exemptions: (408) 299-6460

Getting help

Someone can apply for you

A helper can fill out the claim and turn it in. Only an owner who lives in the home, or their spouse, may sign. A guardian or other legal representative may sign for an owner who cannot.

Only you, or someone with legal authority for you, can sign.

What happens after you apply

  1. The assessor reviews your claim. It checks that no one claims this break on another home.

    The county

  2. The assessor adds the exemption. It shows on your property tax bill, which is mailed by November 1.

    The countyIf you file by February 15, it shows on the bill mailed by November 1.

What only you can do

  • Sign the claim as an owner who lives in the home, or as their spouse.
  • Give your Social Security number, and your spouse's or co-owner's if they live there. If you have none, give your Medicare or Medi-Cal number.
  • Tell the assessor when you no longer qualify, like when you move. If you don't, you may owe back taxes and a penalty.
How long it takes
Filed by February 15, it shows on the bill mailed by November 1. Filed by December 10, you get 80%. New owners: file within 30 days of a notice of new tax value to get the full amount.
You are enrolled when
You are enrolled when your property tax bill shows the $7,000 homeowners' exemption.
To keep it
There is nothing to renew. It keeps going while you own and live in the home. A new owner must file a new claim.

Can’t be combined with