California Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
California exempts up to $180,671 of a disabled veteran's home value — or $271,009 if you meet the low-income limit (2026).
Key information
- 100% / total & permanent rating
- Partial benefit
- Income limit
- The basic exemption has no income limit. The larger low-income exemption requires household income at or below about $81,131 (2026).
- File with
- your county Assessor
- Deadline
- File by February 15 for the full exemption that year (late/partial filing is still allowed afterward). Once granted, you don't refile each year unless your eligibility changes.
- Governing law
- Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §205.5
What you qualify for
100% service-connected disability (or paid at 100% for unemployability), blind in both eyes, or loss of use of two or more limbs
Exempts $180,671 of assessed value — or $271,009 with the low-income exemption (2026 amounts, indexed yearly) (Rev. & Tax. Code §205.5).
Surviving spouses
An unmarried surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran may claim the exemption.
How to claim it
- 1Get the form: Claim for Disabled Veterans' Property Tax Exemption (BOE-261-G)Not sure which form fits your situation, or want it filled in for your county? Email support@taxedfairly.com and we'll send you the right form with your details pre-filled.
- 2VA rating letter showing 100% / unemployability / a qualifying condition; the home must be your principal residence.
- 3File with your county Assessor before the deadline: File by February 15 for the full exemption that year (late/partial filing is still allowed afterward). Once granted, you don't refile each year unless your eligibility changes.
Residency: Must be your principal place of residence.
Commonly missed
- California's benefit is a fixed dollar exemption off assessed value, not a full exemption — but on Prop 13-capped values it still meaningfully cuts the bill.
- The low-income version is worth far more; check the current income limit each year.
Want it handled for you?
This exemption is free to file yourself with your county Assessor — the form and steps are right above, and your local County Veterans Service Officer can also help at no cost.
If you'd rather not deal with the paperwork, we'll prepare and file it for you as an optional done-for-you service — a flat fee, and you only pay if your exemption is approved. We pull and organize your VA documents, complete the correct form, and submit it, then send you a copy.
We are a private filing-assistance service, not the VA or a government agency, and not a law firm. We do not charge for VA disability claims — this is help with a state/county property tax exemption that uses your existing VA rating.
Frequently asked questions
- Who qualifies for the California disabled veteran property tax exemption?
- 100% service-connected disability (or paid at 100% for unemployability), blind in both eyes, or loss of use of two or more limbs: Exempts $180,671 of assessed value — or $271,009 with the low-income exemption (2026 amounts, indexed yearly) (Rev. & Tax. Code §205.5). Must be your principal place of residence.
- Does a 100% VA disability rating fully exempt my property in California?
- Not a full exemption in California. Exempts $180,671 of assessed value — or $271,009 with the low-income exemption (2026 amounts, indexed yearly) (Rev. & Tax. Code §205.5).
- Is there an income limit for the California disabled veteran exemption?
- The basic exemption has no income limit. The larger low-income exemption requires household income at or below about $81,131 (2026).
- Can a surviving spouse keep the California disabled veteran exemption?
- An unmarried surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran may claim the exemption.
- How do I apply for the California disabled veteran exemption, and what is the deadline?
- File Claim for Disabled Veterans' Property Tax Exemption (BOE-261-G) with your county Assessor. File by February 15 for the full exemption that year (late/partial filing is still allowed afterward). Once granted, you don't refile each year unless your eligibility changes.
Information is believed accurate as of the last review; verify details with your county Assessor, as rules can change.