May 26, 2006

Contact: Warren Slocum, Assessor // Phone: 650.363.4988 // E-mail: wslocum@smcare.org

(Redwood City, CA)  San Mateo County property owners are the target of the Property Tax Assessor Records Corp., a company that solicits $25 for filing a homeowner’s exemption claim, a service that is provided for free by all Assessors Offices in California. The notice is printed on a postcard with a note “Dear Taxpayer,” advising property owners of a homeowner’s exemption that they are eligible for if they fill-out and mail back the form on the postcard and pay a fee of $25.

“We offer this service to all property owners free of charge,” explained Assessor Warren Slocum. “There is absolutely no need to pay an outside service. Typically, a homeowner can receive up to $70 a year in annual property tax savings. Paying for this service diminishes the return of this state program by 35% and cheats the homeowner out of these savings.” 

Calls have been coming into the Assessor’s Office from homeowners who are confused by the notice. “Unfortunately, if the homeowner has already filled in the form and mailed it to this company, they will be charged the money,” explained Paula Cuneo, Deputy Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder.

“Not only does the Property Tax Assessment Record Corp. attempt to charge for a service provided by the Assessor for free, they also request the property owner’s social security numbers and signature.  I would discourage homeowners from providing this information,” said Slocum.  “There is too much potential for identity theft.”

Lastly, taxpayers who have received this solicitation are offered additional market information services for a total charge of $49.  Property owners will be charged the additional fee unless they check the box declining the services on the PTARC form.

Particularly susceptible to this kind of solicitation are first generation immigrants, brand new homeowners and widows who left financial matters to their spouses – all for the very same reason, they are unfamiliar with property taxes, property tax programs and assessments.  “The sad part is that often the people preyed upon are the most vulnerable and at-risk property owners in the County,” said Slocum.

Whenever a Change-in-Ownership is filed with the Recorder’s Office, the new property owner is mailed a homeowner exemption form as a courtesy. “This step helps encourage homeowners to apply for the exemption right away; new homeowners tend to take care of all the details when they purchase a new home,” explained Slocum.

Property owners (who have owned and occupied the property for more than a year) who want to verify if they already received the exemption, can go online to the Tax Collector’s site, at www.sanmateocountytaxcollector.org/SMCWPS/pages/secureSearch.jsp to see if the exemption is listed on their last year’s tax bill.  Property owners are encouraged to contact the Assessor’s Office to find out if they are receiving the exemption, entitled to the exemption or need help in filling-out the form for a homeowner’s exemption. Property owners can call (650) 363-4771 or (650) 599-1353. 

Background:

What is a Homeowner’s Exemption?

The Homeowner’s Exemption is a property tax program that reduces the assessed value of an owner-occupied residence by a maximum of $7,000 and results in a property tax annual savings of approximately $70 for qualified homeowners. To qualify for the exemption, the property owner must occupy a property as the principal place of residence on January 1st, or within 90 days after the date the property was acquired, or new construction completed.  Principal place of residence generally means where:

- You return at the end of the day

-You are registered to vote

- Your mail is delivered

-Your vehicle is registered

A dwelling does not qualify for the exemption if it is, or is intended to be rented, vacant and unoccupied, or is a vacation or secondary home of the claimant.  Property owners are entitled to no more than one Homeowner’s Exemption within the State of California.