Frequently Asked Questions
The Service members Civil Relief Act provides tax relief to military personnel, including activated reservists, who are being called to serve in the various, ongoing military operations around the world.
The types of relief available are: the postponement of tax payments for activated reservists during their period of active duty, the reduction in interest and penalty assessments of delinquent taxes, and the suspension of the required sale of tax-defaulted property.
At such time in the future, when unpaid assessments are redeemed, the penalties for nonpayment must be recalculated at no more than six percent per annum, with no other penalty or interest incurred. For further information, please contact the State Controller's Office.
To apply for tax relief for military personnel, please contact the Secured Property Tax Unit between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays at (916) 874-6622.
I am a senior citizen, blind or disabled, what help can I get?
State Assistance Programs
- Property Tax Assistance for Senior Citizens, Blind or Disabled Persons
- The state budget does not include funding for the Gonsalves-Deukmejian-Petris Senior Citizens Property Tax Assistance Law.
- Therefore, the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) will not issue Homeowner and Renter Assistance (HRA) Program instruction booklets and will not accept HRA claims.
- For the most current information on the HRA Program, go to ftb.ca.gov and search for HRA.
