Property Tax Postponement
Lets homeowners who are 62 or older, blind or disabled, with limited household income and at least 40 percent equity, defer current-year property taxes on their home.
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
- The state pays this year's property tax on your home, as a loan. You must be 62 or older, blind, or disabled. You must have owned and lived in the home since December 31, 2025. For 2026-27, household income must be $57,002 or less. You must own at least 40% of the home's value, with no reverse mortgage. You repay the loan later, with interest.
- Who runs it
- California State Controller's Office
What the program may consider
- 62 or older, blind, or disabled
- You own and live in the home
- At least 40 percent equity in the home
- Household income at or below the 2026-27 limit
- Application filed October 1 through February 10
How to get it
The state pays this year's property tax on your home, as a loan. You must be 62 or older, blind, or disabled. You must have owned and lived in the home since December 31, 2025. For 2026-27, household income must be $57,002 or less. You must own at least 40% of the home's value, with no reverse mortgage. You repay the loan later, with interest.
How to apply
Property Tax Postponement application
Paper only. Mail it between October 1, 2026 and February 10, 2027. Every owner signs.
- MailState Controller, Property Tax Postponement: State Controller's Office, Property Tax Postponement, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-0001Mail only. The postmark must be between October 1 and February 10.
- PhoneProperty Tax Postponement questions: 1-800-952-5661
- EmailProperty Tax Postponement e-mail: postponement@sco.ca.govFor questions only. You cannot apply by e-mail.
Getting help
Someone can apply for you
A helper can fill out the application and mail it. You and every other owner must sign. No one can sign for you without legal authority, like a recorded power of attorney or conservatorship. That person sends the paper and their own photo ID.
Only you, or someone with legal authority for you, can sign.
What happens after you apply
The State Controller's office mails you a note that it got your application.
The state
If papers are missing, you get a letter. Send them within 30 days to keep your place in line.
Only if something is missing
The stateA helper can help with this Within 30 days of the letter.
Keep paying your property tax until you are approved. Payments are due December 10 and April 10.
YouA helper can help with this
You get a yes or no letter by mail. Money is limited and goes in the order received. Some people who qualify get nothing.
The state
The state pays your county tax collector. If you already paid, the county refunds you. If your lender pays your taxes, the state pays after April 10. The county then refunds you, not the lender. Late fees on the approved amount are dropped.
The state
The state records a lien on your home when it pays. A lien is a legal claim on your home until the loan is repaid. The amount grows at 5% simple interest.
The state
What only you can do
- You and every other owner sign in ink. You may sign with an X if a witness watches.
- Send copies of photo ID and Social Security numbers for everyone who signs.
- Send proof of age, like a driver's license, passport, or California ID. Or send current proof of blindness or disability. A Medi-Cal card is not accepted.
- Send your 2025 income papers and papers showing what you owe on the home.
- Keep paying your taxes until you are approved. Tell your lender if it pays your taxes.
- Know the loan terms. You repay it when you move, sell, refinance, or get a reverse mortgage. It is also due at death, unless a qualifying person still lives there.
- Keep paying later property taxes and other home loans on time. If they go unpaid, the whole loan comes due.
- Apply again every year.
- How long it takes
- The state does not say how long it takes. Mail your application early in October, since money goes in the order received.
- You are enrolled when
- You are enrolled once two things happen. You get the approval letter. The state pays this year's tax to your county. A lien is then recorded on your home.
- To keep it
- Nothing carries over. Apply again each year between October 1 and February 10. Only one application per home. The postponed amount stays a lien on your home until it is repaid. You get a statement each year.
Coming changes
- Starting February 10, 2027: February 10, 2027 is the last postmark date for 2026-27 applications.