Request Property Tax Special Assessment Exemption or Refund

The purpose of special assessments is to fund specific local improvements and infrastructure projects. It is an additional tax levied on the owners of property in the area that would benefit from the project. These additional taxes are approved through voter ballot measures. The taxes are additional expenses added to the regular ad valorem taxes.

Check Status
Check your Property Tax Special Assessment Exemption
Download Forms
Exemption Applications for Property Tax Special Assessments
Download Form
Special Assessment No-Income Affidavit (Owner and Household Member)

Request Property Tax Special Assessment Exemption

Property Owners may request an exemption from various Special Assessments. When an exemption is granted, the parcel will not be charged the Special Assessment tax in the following year for the approved exemption. If the taxes were already issued by the County of Alameda Assessor’s Office, then an approved exemption will be paid via refund once the property taxes are fully paid.

  1. Low Income Homeowner
  2. Low Income Senior
  3. Non-Profit or Affordable Housing Parcels
  4. Religious Organizations
  5. Schools
  6. Multi-Unit Parcels with Vacant Units
  7. Undeveloped Vacant Lots
  8. Foreclosed Property where the Property Taxes were paid by the Tenants

Exemptions are available for other measures not handled by the SPARE team.

For more information:

OUSD (Oakland Unified School District) for Seniors and Low-Income Homeowners: https://www.ousd.org/community/parcel-taxes

Vacant Lot Tax Exemptions: Vacant Property Tax (VPT)

Exemption Information

EXEMPTION INFORMATION

1. Low Income Homeowner

Low-Income is based on three factors: the owner is currently occupying the parcel, the number of people within the household, and total combined gross income for all household members. Please refer to the chart below. If your total household combined income is equal to or below the threshold per the chart below, download the SPARE Exemption Application: Special Assessment Refund and Exemption Forms (SPARE)

Low Income And Very Low Income Qualification Table

Low Income And Very Low Income Qualification Table

2. Low Income Senior

If any of the homeowners are 65 years or older as of July 1, 2023, the threshold for an exemption is higher to help our Senior community. Low-Income is based on three factors: the owner is currently occupying the parcel, number of people within the household, and total combined gross income for all household members. Please refer to the chart below. If your total household combined income is equal to or below the threshold per the chart below, download the SPARE Exemption Application: Special Assessment Refund and Exemption Forms (SPARE)

Senior Low Income Qualification Table

3. Non-Profit or Affordable Housing Parcels

Non-Profit or Affordable Housing Parcels may be eligible for various exemptions. The requirements are a current and paid Oakland Business License and a full or partial exemption from Ad Valorem taxes. The Claim for Welfare Exemption from the County of Alameda may be submitted as proof of exemption. The Exemption will apply based on the appropriate ballot measure language. Download the SPARE Non-Profit or Affordable Housing Exemption Application: Special Assessment Refund and Exemption Forms (SPARE)

4. Religious Organizations

Religious owned parcels may be eligible for exemption. The parcel must have a full or partial exemption from Ad Valorem taxes and show ownership to a religious organization. The Claim for Welfare Exemption and/or Religious Institution documentation may be requested for verification of eligibility. The Exemption will apply based on the appropriate ballot measure language. Download the SPARE School or Religious Exemption Application: Special Assessment Refund and Exemption Forms (SPARE)

5. Schools

School owned parcels may be eligible for exemption. The parcel must have an exemption from Ad Valorem taxes and show ownership to an educational institution. The Claim for Welfare Exemption and/or Educational Institution documentation may be requested for verification of eligibility. The Exemption will apply based on the appropriate ballot measure language. Download the SPARE School or Religious Exemption Application: Special Assessment Refund and Exemption Forms (SPARE)

6. Multi-Unit Parcels with Vacant Units

A Multi-Unit Parcel is a residential parcel with five or more units. For Multi-Unit Parcels, the Special Assessment may be applied to each individual unit. If a unit can be proven to be vacant for six or more months in a year, it may be possible to receive a partial exemption.

An applicant must provide evidence of vacancy. Download the Multi-Unit Exemption Application: Special Assessment Refund and Exemption Forms (SPARE): Multi-Unit Exemption Application 2024-2025

7. Undeveloped Vacant Lots

For Vacant lots that have not had any development or structures on them, it may be possible to receive a partial exemption. Proof that the lot is undeveloped is required

For other potential exemptions for Vacant Lots, please review the Vacant Property Tax’s website: Vacant Property Tax (VPT)

8. Foreclosed Property where the Property Taxes were paid by the Tenants

If a property has been foreclosed, and the Tenants of the property paid for all or a portion of the property taxes, an exemption may be available for those tenants. To determine eligibility, please email spare@oaklandca.gov with the relevant details. A representative will help determine any potential eligibility

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do I Check the Status of my Exemption or Refund Application?

Click on the Check Status button and enter your Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) from your Alameda County Property Tax Statement. Currently only 2024-25 Early Exemption statuses are shown. The web site is updated every Friday at 5 pm. Currently, we are only uploaded Early Exemption for Homeowners.

How are Special Assessments Billed?

The County of Alameda calculates the Special Assessment per the voter approved Ballot Measure. The taxpayer pays the property tax to the County of Alameda. The assessments are listed as a separate line item on the property tax statement and must be paid together with your property taxes.


What if I believe the Property Tax was calculated incorrectly?

If the taxpayer believes the Special Assessment was calculated incorrectly, the most current ballot measure or amendment must be reviewed for the calculation methodology. In many cases for a residential homeowner, it’s a flat rate. In the case of commercial properties, the County of Alameda parcel map is typically used to calculate the Special Assessment. For any more specific information for the Special Assessment, please call the number listed on the line items with the Special Assessment tax.

If the taxpayer disagrees with a charge in the assessed value as shown on the Tax Computation Worksheet or Tax-Rate Breakdown of the Ad Valorem taxes, the taxpayer has the right to an informal assessment review by contacting the Assessor's Office at (510) 272-3787.

 

What Special Assessments may be exempted by the SPARE Office?

The SPARE office may determine exemptions for the Measures listed below. Click on the Measure to download the ballot measure documentation or find all of them here.

CITY LANDSCP/LIGHT

CITY LIBRARY SERV

CITY LIBRARY SRV-D

OAKLAND MEASURE AA

VIOLENCE PREV TAX

2020 OAK MEASURE Q

2022 MEASURE Y (ZOO)

 

How do I Return My Exemption Form

Mail the form and documentation to: SPARE, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 5342, Oakland, CA 94612.

E-mail the application to: spare@oaklandca.gov

Bring the application to the drop box in the lobby of 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612.
 

Current Office Hours may be found on the Finance Department’s Webpage : Finance Department
 

Additional Documentation Letters or Additional Documentation Status

Applications are required to have all supporting documentation at the time the application is submitted. A request for information will typically be made via email, phone, or hard copy letter. We typically give thirty (30) days to provide the documentation. If we do not receive the documentation with that 30 days, the City will deny your exemption application.

How are the Low-Income Levels Determined?

The Department of U.S. Housing and Urban Development publishes the median income for a family of four based on the median income for a geographic area. The City uses the same methodology to determine the Low Income thresholds. More information can be found at:

https://www.huduser.gov/portal...

Do I need to Apply for the Exemption or Refund Every Year?

Low-Income applications and must be sent every year. Income levels typically change from year to year. The documents must be audited to determine eligibility.

Non-Profit or Affordable Housing applications must be sent every year. This is required to ensure the business licenses are current.

Religious Organizations and Schools may not need to apply each year. Once we determine eligibility, we will automatically review the prior year’s approved applications for Religious and School institutions. The City requires application from new or previously denied parcels.

What is the Deadline to File for an Exemption?

Applications are due by May 15th or the first business day thereafter. Submitting the application before this date will allow the City enough time to review your application. If you submit by this deadline and are determined to be eligible for exemption(s), the City can request the taxes be removed BEFORE the property tax bill is sent. The taxpayer will not see the charge on the bill, nor will the taxpayer have to pay any exempted measures. This is an “Early Exemption.”

Applications for exemptions sent after the May 15th will still be accepted; however, applications must be received within one (1) year of the final tax payment date. If the application is determined to be eligible for exemption, the City will request a refund check to be mailed to the taxpayer with the appropriate amount of exemption after the taxes are fully paid (Example: If the second property tax installment was paid April 4, 2023, the parcel owner would have until April 4, 2024 to submit an application for exemption.)

How long does it take to receive a refund?

A refund is only issued once the property taxes are completely paid. The check can take up to six (6) months to be issued once the property taxes are paid. For faster service, please call or email the SPARE office when the property taxes are completely paid.

Who Needs to Submit No-Income Affidavits?

A No-Income Affidavit is required for any household member that does not receive any income, unless that household member is both age 26 or younger and listed as a dependent on the homeowner’s submitted tax return. The No-Income Affidavit can be downloaded using the link at the top of this page or at https://www.oaklandca.gov/documents/special-assessment-no-income-affidavit

How do I contact the Spare office with any additional questions?

Email us at: spare@oaklandca.gov

Call us at: (510) 238-2942

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