How Property Taxes Are Calculated In California

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How Property Taxes in Santa Clara County Are Calculated

For those of you new to the area, California’s property taxes are driven by the 1978 passage of Proposition 13.  Proposition 13 was the voter’s response to what was felt to be property taxes spiraling out of control.  Prior to Proposition 13, the worst stories of government over taxing were told by elderly home owners on fixed incomes, who were forced out of their homes because they could not afford to pay the unpredictable, and large increases in their property taxes.  Basically, what Proposition 13 does is both restrict the tax rate and the rate of its increase over time.  It stipulates that the tax rate cannot exceed 1 percent of a property’s value plus special local bonds and assessments.  Further, as the value of property increases, the tax can never go up more than 2% a year.  The exception to this last rule is if there is new construction or the house changes ownership, when the sale price becomes the basis of the tax assessment. 

 

For estimating purposes, I suggest people use a number of 1.2% to conservatively estimate their annual tax for any house they are considering purchasing.  Most areas in Santa Clara County have a property tax rate of 1.1% when you average in all of the local assessments.  For more information on property taxes, please visit www.scctax.org.

56 Saint Joseph Avenue Los Altos CA

956 Saint Joseph Ave

Stroll to Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve and one of the top rated Cupertino School District’s Elementary schools. Move right into this spectacular Los Altos home in the Highlands neighborhood, where the owners of 40 years have meticulously kept the home updated and current. Enjoy the new kitchen with cherry cabinets and glistening granite. Dual pane windows and newly refinished hardwood floors combine with the built-in cabinets to provide a comfortable lifestyle in this 4 bedroom, 2 bath beauty. A welcoming back yard with a pool and professional landscaping offers the perfect venue for relaxing. On a flat, quarter acre in the very quiet section of St. Joseph.

To learn more about this property, please visit the website

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956 Saint Joseph Avenue
Los Altos, CA 94024

Offered for $1,548,888

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