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Veteran Property Tax Exemption — California

California has run a Disabled Veterans' Exemption for decades — $100,000, or $150,000 for qualifying lower-income households, off the assessed value of your home — and recent legislation moves toward a full exemption for 100% disabled veterans. Verify the current amount with your county assessor before you rely on it.

Who qualifies
Veterans rated by the VA as 100% disabled, service-connected, and total (or qualifying SMC determinations); also available to unmarried surviving spouses. The higher $150,000 tier requires household income below an annually adjusted limit
Benefit
Exemption of $100,000 (or $150,000 in the lower-income tier) of the assessed value of an owner-occupied home — the amounts adjust and legislation (SB 296 / AB 2022) has been expanding eligibility toward a full exemption
How to apply
File claim form BOE-261-G with your county assessor — initial claims generally by February 15
Watch out
This is an exemption of assessed value, not a tax refund; the savings depend on your local rate. Confirm whether the newest expansion applies to your assessment year before budgeting

How it works

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Not yet rated? Start there

Every one of these programs hinges on a VA service-connected rating. If you have not filed a claim, that is the starting point — a free, VA-accredited VSO (DAV, American Legion, VFW) will file it for you at no cost. A higher rating unlocks not just property-tax relief but healthcare, income benefits, and — for business owners — SDVOSB contracting eligibility.

Official sources

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