As of Monday, April 29, the Office of the Assessor-Recorder has a new main office phone number, 628-652-8100. For the 12 months following this transition, constituents who call the Office’s prior phone number will automatically be transferred to our new line. As part of this transition, the Office is instituting key upgrades to improve the experience that San Franciscans have when calling us. To learn more, click here.

 

The welfare exemption is jointly administered by the Board of Equalization (BOE) and the San Francisco Assessor-Recorders Office.

BOE determines whether the organization is eligible to receive the exemption and the Assessor determines whether the use of the property is eligible for the exemption. Before the Assessor can approve the exemption, the organization must apply for and BOE must issue an Organization Clearance Certificate. Property owned by a limited partnership must also obtain a Supplemental Clearance Certificate from the BOE.

The Welfare Exemption annual filing deadline is coming up on Feb.15, 2024. Please view our Nonprofit Welfare Exemption, Grant Writing and Resiliency workshop video above for a refresher on the filing process and additional resources. Starting in December, our office is pleased to offer in-person appointments for nonprofit staff in need of additional exemptions filing guidance. Sign up for an in-person appointment at City Hall here.

Organizations filing for the first time in the state are required to provide an Organizational Clearance Certificate (Supplemental Clearance Certificate for Managing General Partner if organization is a LP) and organizational documents (articles of incorporation and other formative documents, tax exemption letters, financial statements, etc.).
Leased property is not eligible for the exemption unless both the owner and the operator file and qualify for the exemption. If the owner of real property does not qualify for the exemption, a qualified operator may still receive the exemption on the personal property it owns.
Some reasons may be no exempt activity on lien date (January 1st), rental properties, vacant or unused land/space, for-profit groups using property; etc.