Reduce Your Property Tax with Prop-8
California homeowners can request temporary property tax reductions when their property value falls below the assessed value.
What is Prop-8?
Proposition 8 allows for temporary reduction in assessed value when property values decline.
Calculate Savings
Use our calculator to estimate how much you could save with a successful Prop-8 assessment.
Application Process
Follow our step-by-step guide to apply for a Prop-8 reassessment with your county.
Why Consider a Prop-8 Appeal?
- Real estate market downturns can cause property values to fall below assessed values
- Temporary tax relief until property values recover
- Unlike Prop-13, these reductions can be requested annually
- No penalties or risks if your appeal is denied
- Property taxes automatically readjust upward as market improves (up to original Prop-13 base)
Understanding Proposition 8
What is Proposition 8?
Proposition 8, passed in 1978, is a California constitutional amendment that allows for a temporary reduction in assessed property value when a property's market value falls below its assessed value.
Normally, under Proposition 13, your property's assessed value can only increase by a maximum of 2% annually, regardless of how much your property's market value increases. However, when the market drops, Prop-8 provides a mechanism for temporary tax relief.
Unlike other property tax relief programs, Prop-8 reductions are temporary. As the real estate market recovers, your assessed value can be increased by more than 2% annually until it reaches what it would have been under Prop-13 (your original purchase price plus up to 2% per year).
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for a Prop-8 reduction, you need to demonstrate that your property's current market value is less than its assessed value as shown on your most recent property tax bill.
Example:
If you purchased your home for $500,000 (establishing the Prop-13 base), and the assessed value has grown to $550,000, but current comparable home sales show your property is now worth only $500,000, you may qualify for a reduction.
Key eligibility points:
- You must be the legal owner of the property
- The property must be in California
- You need evidence that market value is below assessed value
- There's typically a filing deadline (varies by county, often between January 1 and May 30)
How Prop-8 Differs from Prop-13
| Feature | Proposition 13 | Proposition 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Permanent base year value | Temporary reduction |
| Annual increase | Limited to 2% maximum | Can increase more than 2% as market recovers |
| Application | Automatic | Must apply/appeal |
| Maximum value | Purchase price + 2% per year | Current market value |
Prop-8 Tax Savings Calculator
Enter Your Property Address
Let us find your property information to determine potential tax savings under Proposition 8.
Confirmed Address:
Review & Payment
We've found your property details. Review the information below and proceed to payment.
Property Information
Address:
Current Assessed Value:
Estimated Market Value:
Potential Tax Savings
Current Annual Tax:
Potential Annual Tax:
Estimated Annual Savings:
Payment Details
Tax Reduction Service Fee: $149
Our fee includes professional preparation of your Prop-8 application, filing with your county assessor, and follow-up until completion. We'll help you save hundreds or thousands in property taxes.
Application Submitted Successfully!
Thank you for choosing HutSavings to help reduce your property tax.
What happens next?
- Our team will prepare your Prop-8 application within 3-5 business days
- We'll submit the application to your county assessor's office
- You'll receive an email confirmation with your application details
- We'll keep you updated on the status of your application
- If approved, you'll receive a notification of your reduced property tax
Reference Number: HS-38721-X
We've sent a confirmation email to your@email.com
How Our Process Works
- Enter Your Address: Provide your property address so we can identify your property.
- Review Property Details: We'll show you the current assessed value and estimated market value.
- Submit Payment: Pay our service fee to have our experts prepare and file your Prop-8 application.
- We Handle The Rest: Our team files your application with the county and follows up until completion.
Note: This service is designed to help property owners whose assessed values exceed current market values. If your application is approved, you could save hundreds or thousands in property taxes.
Step-by-Step Prop-8 Application Guide
Follow these steps to apply for a temporary reduction in your property's assessed value under Proposition 8.
Determine if you qualify
Compare your property's current market value to its assessed value on your tax bill. If the market value is lower, you may qualify for a reduction.
Check your county's deadline
Deadlines vary by county but are typically between January 1 and May 30. Some counties accept applications year-round.
Gather supporting evidence
Collect evidence of your property's current market value:
- Recent comparable sales (properties similar to yours that have sold recently)
- Professional appraisal (optional but helpful)
- Listing prices of similar properties in your area
- Photos of your property and any issues affecting value
Obtain and complete the application
Download the application form from your county assessor's website or pick up a physical copy from their office. Common forms include:
- "Application for Changed Assessment"
- "Decline in Value Reassessment Application"
- "Prop-8 Request Form"
Submit your application
Submit your completed application with all supporting documentation to your county assessor's office by the deadline. Keep copies of everything you submit.
Most counties accept submissions by:
- In-person delivery
- Online submission (in some counties)
Track your application
Some counties provide online tracking of assessment appeals. Otherwise, you can contact your assessor's office for updates.
Respond to assessor inquiries
The assessor may request additional information or clarification about your property. Respond promptly to all requests.
Review the decision
You'll receive a notice of the assessor's decision. If approved, your property tax bill will reflect the reduced assessed value.
Appeal Process
If your application is denied or you disagree with the reassessed value, you can appeal to your county's Assessment Appeals Board:
- File an appeal application with your county's clerk of the Assessment Appeals Board
- Attend your scheduled hearing (in-person or virtual)
- Present your evidence supporting a lower assessed value
- Receive the Appeals Board's decision
Note: Appeals typically must be filed within a specific timeframe after receiving your assessment notice, usually 60 days. Check your county's specific deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prop-13 (passed in 1978) limits property tax increases to 2% per year, regardless of how much a property's market value increases. Prop-8 (also 1978) allows for temporary reductions in assessed value when a property's market value drops below its Prop-13 assessed value. Prop-8 reductions are temporary and can be adjusted upward by more than 2% annually as the market recovers, until reaching the Prop-13 limit.
You should apply for a Prop-8 reduction when you believe your property's current market value has fallen below its assessed value (the value shown on your property tax bill). This often happens during economic downturns, housing market slumps, or if your specific neighborhood has experienced declining property values.
Deadlines vary by county, but most counties accept Prop-8 applications between January 1 and May 30 each year. Some counties have informal request procedures with more flexible deadlines. For formal assessment appeals, applications typically must be filed between July 2 and September 15 or November 30, depending on your county.
While a professional appraisal is not strictly required, it can be very helpful in supporting your claim. You can also use other evidence of market value, such as recent sales of comparable properties in your area, online valuation estimates, or listing prices of similar properties currently on the market.
If your property value increases, the assessor may raise your assessed value by more than the standard Prop-13 limit of 2% annually. However, they can only increase it up to the market value or your Prop-13 limit (original purchase price plus up to 2% per year), whichever is lower. This means your assessed value will eventually return to what it would have been under Prop-13 as if the Prop-8 reduction had never occurred.
Once your property receives a Prop-8 reduction, the assessor is required to review your property's value annually. However, many assessors recommend filing a new application each year to ensure your property is reviewed. If you believe your property's value has declined further since your last reduction, you should definitely file a new application.
Yes, if your application is denied or you disagree with the assessor's new valuation, you can file an appeal with your county's Assessment Appeals Board. This is a formal process with specific filing deadlines, typically within 60 days of receiving your assessment notice. You'll need to present evidence supporting your claim at a hearing.
If you recently purchased your property and believe you paid more than its current market value, you can still apply for a Prop-8 reduction. However, you'll need strong evidence that the property's value has declined since your purchase. This can be challenging if you purchased recently, as your purchase price establishes market value at that time.
Prop-8 Resources
County Assessor Offices
Contact your county assessor for specific Prop-8 forms and deadlines:
Official Forms & Guidelines
Common forms needed for Prop-8 applications:
Assessment Appeal Application
State Board of Equalization standard form used in most counties
View Sample FormInformal Decline-in-Value Review Request
Many counties offer this simpler alternative to formal appeals
Forms vary by county - check your county assessor's website
State Guidelines on Property Assessment
California State Board of Equalization guidelines
www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/decline-in-valueFinding Comparable Sales
Use these resources to find comparable property sales to support your Prop-8 application:
Zillow
Search recent home sales by neighborhood
Redfin
Filter search by recently sold properties
Realtor.com
View recently sold properties in your area
Trulia
Find recent neighborhood sales data
County Recorder's Office
Public records of recent property transactions
Local Real Estate Agents
Can provide Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)
Professional Help
Consider these professionals if you need assistance with your Prop-8 application:
Property Tax Consultants
Specialists who handle property tax appeals for a fee, typically a percentage of your tax savings
Real Estate Appraisers
Licensed professionals who can provide a formal appraisal of your property's current market value
Real Estate Attorneys
Can represent you in complex appeals or when significant tax amounts are at stake
Important: Most Prop-8 applications can be completed without professional help. Consider your property's value and potential savings when deciding whether to hire assistance.