Disabled Veterans' Property Tax Exemption
A property tax exemption on the home of a veteran rated 100 percent service-connected disabled, unemployable, blind or having lost the use of two limbs, or their unmarried surviving spouse; the 2026 basic exemption is $180,671 and the low-income exemption is $271,009 when household income is $81,131 or less.
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
- Lowers the taxable value of a veteran's home. It is for a veteran with a 100% VA disability rating from service, or paid at that rate. It also covers a veteran whose service left them blind in both eyes, or without use of two limbs. An unmarried surviving spouse can get it too. For 2026 it takes $180,671 off, or $271,009 for lower-income homes.
- 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
- You are a veteran rated 100 percent service-connected disabled, unemployable, blind, or having lost the use of two limbs, or the unmarried surviving spouse of one
- 2026 basic exemption $180,671; low-income exemption $271,009 when household income is $81,131 or less
- BOE-261-G claim with the VA rating letter filed with the Assessor; annual filing for the low-income exemption
How to get it
Lowers the taxable value of a veteran's home. It is for a veteran with a 100% VA disability rating from service, or paid at that rate. It also covers a veteran whose service left them blind in both eyes, or without use of two limbs. An unmarried surviving spouse can get it too. For 2026 it takes $180,671 off, or $271,009 for lower-income homes.
How to apply
Disabled Veterans' Exemption claim
File it with the assessor in the county where your home is. Attach your VA rating letter.
- 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
- PhoneCounty of Santa Clara Office of Veterans Services: (408) 918-4980Free help from accredited staff with VA applications, appeals and other veterans' benefits, like the veterans' property tax exemption.
Getting help
Someone can apply for you
A helper can fill out the claim and turn it in. The veteran or surviving spouse signs it, on paper or by e-signature. If someone else must sign for you, ask the assessor first.
Only you, or someone with legal authority for you, can sign.
What happens after you apply
The assessor checks your VA rating letter, your military service, and that you live in the home.
The county
The exemption goes on your next tax bill. For past years, you get a corrected bill or a refund.
The county
Each January the assessor sends a notice. File the low-income claim again every year.
Only for the low-income amount
YouA helper can help with this By February 15 each year for the full amount.
What only you can do
- Sign the claim. You can sign on paper or by e-signature.
- Send your VA rating letter. A surviving spouse also sends marriage and death papers.
- For the low-income amount, give your household income each year.
- For the low-income amount, file again each year by February 15. Late claims get 90% by December 10, and 85% after that.
- If you no longer qualify, tell the assessor by June 30. This avoids a 25% penalty.
- How long it takes
- It usually shows on your next tax bill. For the full basic amount, file soon after your VA rating or move-in. The deadline is the next January 1, or 90 days after, if that is later. Later claims get 85%, up to 8 years back.
- You are enrolled when
- You are enrolled when your property tax bill shows the disabled veterans' exemption.
- To keep it
- The basic amount keeps going with no yearly filing. The low-income amount needs a new claim every year by February 15. Report changes by June 30.
Can’t be combined with
- Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption. You cannot have both on the same home. This one replaces the homeowners' exemption.
Coming changes
- Starting January 1, 2027: For 2027, the basic amount rises to $185,889. The low-income amount rises to $278,836, for household income of $83,474 or less.