File for a Senior Parcel Tax Exemption Before June 30th

For Immediate Release
Date:  Wednesday, June 10, 2015
 

*** PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT ***
 

FILE FOR A SENIOR PARCEL TAX EXEMPTION BEFORE JUNE 30TH
Exemption applications and supporting documents should be submitted
to the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)

San Francisco, CA – Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu reminds eligible seniors in San Francisco to apply for parcel tax exemptions with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) before the June 30^th deadline. These exemptions will allow qualified applicants to save up to $267 per singly family dwelling and require reapplication with the school district every year. 

“Over the years, a high number of taxpayers have contacted our office erroneously about parcel tax exemptions because they were confused by the process,” said Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu.  “This year, we want to make sure we help educate the public about the process and their rights, and clarify our involvement.”

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is in charge of the seniors parcel tax program and exemption process. If you are a senior aged 65+ who owns and lives in your property or if you own a property that is rented to a senior aged 65+, you could be eligible to receive an exemption or partial exemption from these parcel taxes.  The exemption application must be filed with the SFUSD every year to determine eligibility because the benefit does not rollover year to year.

Qualifying seniors should have received an exemption form in the mail during the month of May. If not, a copy is available on the school district’s website (http://www.sfusd.edu/en/about-sfusd/voter-initiatives/senior-citizen-exemption.html) or you can pick up and return your application in person at the Senior Exemption Office located at 135 Van Ness Avenue, Room 112, San Francisco, CA 94102. 

As background information, San Francisco voters in recent years approved two parcel taxes to raise funds to support the local public school district, the Quality Teacher & Education Act and the School Facilities Special Tax. The Quality Teacher & Education Act passed in 2008, will collect $230.95 per parcel in the upcoming 2015-2016 year.  The purpose of the tax is to provide the SFUSD additional funds to raise teachers’ salaries to a more competitive level, improve classroom technology, and provide financial incentives for teachers to work at schools with historically high turnover or to teach in hard-to-fill subject areas.  

The School Facilities Special Tax, passed in 2010, will collect $35.34 per single family dwelling or $17.68 per unit in multiple unit complexes for the upcoming 2015-16 year to raise funds to modernize school sites, to support the green schoolyard program, and to support the construction of an additional school. 

The deadline for the application and all supporting documents is June 30, 2015 at 5pm - no late applications are accepted.  Should there be any questions, taxpayers are advised to call (415) 355-2203 or email the SFUSD Exemptions Office at SeniorExemptionOffice@sfusd.edu.