The following was provided by Riverside County’s Assessor’s Office and Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office.
Victims of recent wildfires whose property was damaged or destroyed may be eligible for property tax relief in Riverside County. In response to the disasters, Assessor-Clerk-Recorder Larry Ward and Treasurer-Tax Collector Don Kent have teamed up to assist victims countywide.
Taxpayers may be eligible to have their property reassessed and their Dec. 10 property tax payment postponed.
Property owners can download an application for reassessment from the Assessor’s website at www.riversideacr.com and file the claim for relief at any of the Assessor’s offices countywide. State law requires the property owner to initiate the application process.
Once Ward’s office receives and verifies a claim form, the reassessment process will begin. Property values will be reduced to reflect the current valuation of a home or business. Residents whose property has been severely impacted by a fire, earthquake or other natural disaster, in general, are eligible for the tax relief program.
In addition, the county Treasurer-Tax Collector will defer the property tax payment until a corrected bill can be issued reflecting the reduced value. To receive a deferral on the Dec. 10 tax payment, a valid claim form must be submitted to the county Assessor prior to the payment due date.
The Assessor and Treasurer-Tax Collector work together to issue in excess of one million tax bills annually with revenues of over $2.8 billion.
For more information, fire victims can contact the Assessor’s Office at (951) 413-2852 or the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office at (951) 955-3981.
