From our FAQ
14 views
Skip to first unread message
CA Property Tax Exemption 25-0035
Feb 17, 2026, 10:55:59 PM (12 days ago) Feb 17
to propertyta...@googlegroups.com
Dear Property Tax Exemption team,
We’ve created a comprehensive FAQ on our website. Below are a few excerpts that answer the questions we frequently see on WhatsApp, Nextdoor, and WeChat.
(Please review the FAQ on our website and let us know if you have any questions or suggestions)
(Please review the FAQ on our website and let us know if you have any questions or suggestions)
1️⃣ Will this affect Prop 13?
Ballot Initiative 25-0035 does NOT eliminate or change Proposition 13.
Prop 13 remains fully intact — including the 1% tax cap and annual assessment limits. What this initiative proposes is an additional exemption layer for eligible homeowners age 60+ on their primary residence. That means:
✔️ Prop 13 protections stay exactly the same
✔️ Property-tax rules under Prop 13 are unchanged
✔️ The initiative simply adds extra relief — similar to how California already provides exemptions for disabled veterans or homeowners
In California, exemptions are common and are administered on top of Prop 13 — not instead of it. We encourage everyone to review the full language and FAQ before drawing conclusions.
Ballot Initiative 25-0035 does NOT eliminate or change Proposition 13.
Prop 13 remains fully intact — including the 1% tax cap and annual assessment limits. What this initiative proposes is an additional exemption layer for eligible homeowners age 60+ on their primary residence. That means:
✔️ Prop 13 protections stay exactly the same
✔️ Property-tax rules under Prop 13 are unchanged
✔️ The initiative simply adds extra relief — similar to how California already provides exemptions for disabled veterans or homeowners
In California, exemptions are common and are administered on top of Prop 13 — not instead of it. We encourage everyone to review the full language and FAQ before drawing conclusions.
2️⃣ Why focus on helping seniors when baby boomers are often described as one of the wealthiest generations?
Public policy should reflect a person’s ability to pay, not just the paper value of their home. Many long-time homeowners — especially seniors — purchased their homes decades ago when prices were modest, and today’s high valuations often reflect market inflation rather than personal wealth or income. Using property value alone to determine eligibility risks excluding residents who live on fixed or modest incomes despite living in highly appreciated neighborhoods. A fair approach recognizes that rising home values do not necessarily translate into liquid income, and policies should prioritize financial reality over market speculation. Thus, this policy has AGE as the only major criterion.
3️⃣ What about the fiscal impact?
Sacramento's Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) conducted the fiscal analysis study. The numbers they came up with indicate a reduction of $12-$20 billion in property taxes. It's a small percentage, given that California generates $100 billion in property taxes, and $350 billion is the total California budget.
Public policy should reflect a person’s ability to pay, not just the paper value of their home. Many long-time homeowners — especially seniors — purchased their homes decades ago when prices were modest, and today’s high valuations often reflect market inflation rather than personal wealth or income. Using property value alone to determine eligibility risks excluding residents who live on fixed or modest incomes despite living in highly appreciated neighborhoods. A fair approach recognizes that rising home values do not necessarily translate into liquid income, and policies should prioritize financial reality over market speculation. Thus, this policy has AGE as the only major criterion.
3️⃣ What about the fiscal impact?
Sacramento's Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) conducted the fiscal analysis study. The numbers they came up with indicate a reduction of $12-$20 billion in property taxes. It's a small percentage, given that California generates $100 billion in property taxes, and $350 billion is the total California budget.
4️⃣ Seniors are already very affluent. Why do they deserve a break?
We believe our seniors deserve respect, dignity, and thoughtful consideration — not to be treated as targets or burdens. After a lifetime of work, contribution, and sacrifice, older adults should live their remaining years with stability and peace of mind. Regardless of their current circumstances, their achievements reflect decades of effort, and our policies should honor that reality. As a society, we must remember that every generation will one day reach this stage of life. How we treat seniors today reflects the values we hold for ourselves tomorrow. Any responsible effort that improves the well-being, security, and comfort of our senior community deserves serious support, especially when it can be achieved without harming the broader public good.
We believe our seniors deserve respect, dignity, and thoughtful consideration — not to be treated as targets or burdens. After a lifetime of work, contribution, and sacrifice, older adults should live their remaining years with stability and peace of mind. Regardless of their current circumstances, their achievements reflect decades of effort, and our policies should honor that reality. As a society, we must remember that every generation will one day reach this stage of life. How we treat seniors today reflects the values we hold for ourselves tomorrow. Any responsible effort that improves the well-being, security, and comfort of our senior community deserves serious support, especially when it can be achieved without harming the broader public good.
5️⃣ Will this raise taxes on younger residents?
The initiative is designed to help seniors without raising taxes on any group. It seeks to maintain funding for schools and essential services without increasing taxes through cuts to waste and optimization of OpEx. California schools are funded through multiple sources, including state backfill, parcel taxes, bond measures, and enrollment-based formulas. The initiative does not change those protections. Existing funding protections, including Proposition 98 guarantees, remain in place - read the op-ed piece.
The initiative is designed to help seniors without raising taxes on any group. It seeks to maintain funding for schools and essential services without increasing taxes through cuts to waste and optimization of OpEx. California schools are funded through multiple sources, including state backfill, parcel taxes, bond measures, and enrollment-based formulas. The initiative does not change those protections. Existing funding protections, including Proposition 98 guarantees, remain in place - read the op-ed piece.
6️⃣ Why not cut waste, optimize government instead?
The mantra of our elected leaders is to raise taxes first! Before turning to new taxes or raising existing ones, we must first ensure that public spending is transparent, accountable, and delivering measurable results. Californians deserve confidence that every dollar collected is used efficiently and tied to clear outcomes, not simply increased funding without evaluation. Fiscal responsibility requires government to prioritize performance, oversight, and innovation so that we can do more with the resources we already have. I believe effective governance means maximizing impact, reducing waste, and proving value to taxpayers before asking them to contribute more.
In California (and many counties), revenues have increased at roughly twice the rate of inflation while spending has jumped even higher. Until we stop spending like drunken sailors, belt tightening would need to be forced. At some point, enough is enough. No more taxes.
The mantra of our elected leaders is to raise taxes first! Before turning to new taxes or raising existing ones, we must first ensure that public spending is transparent, accountable, and delivering measurable results. Californians deserve confidence that every dollar collected is used efficiently and tied to clear outcomes, not simply increased funding without evaluation. Fiscal responsibility requires government to prioritize performance, oversight, and innovation so that we can do more with the resources we already have. I believe effective governance means maximizing impact, reducing waste, and proving value to taxpayers before asking them to contribute more.
In California (and many counties), revenues have increased at roughly twice the rate of inflation while spending has jumped even higher. Until we stop spending like drunken sailors, belt tightening would need to be forced. At some point, enough is enough. No more taxes.
—
Sincerely,
🇺🇸 Rishi Kumar 🇺🇸
Phone: (408) 805-5993
Follow Rishi: X.com | Facebook
Sign-up to volunteer here
Sign-the petition - details on our website
It's time to exempt the 60+ age group from property tax payments. Let's get it done!
Ballot Initiative 25-0035, Proponent Rishi Kumar
Paid for by California Property Tax Exemption CA2026 || FPPC # 1485201
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages