California Code of Regulations
Title 18 - Public Revenues
Division 1 - State Board of Equalization-Property Tax (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration - Timber Yield Tax, See Chapter 11)
Chapter 4 - Equalization by State Board
Article 4 - Change in Ownership and New Construction
Section 462.520 - Change in Ownership - Intergenerational Transfers
Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) GENERAL. Beginning on and after February 16, 2021, "change in ownership" shall not include the transfer of real property which is the principal residence or the family farm of an eligible transferor in the case of transfers between parents and their children or between grandparents and their grandchildren, meeting the following conditions:
(b) VALUATION.
Example 1: Base Year Value Calculation. Parent transfers 100 percent interest in their principal residence to Child. On March 1, 2021, the date of transfer, the principal residence has a factored base year value of $250,000 and a full cash value of $900,000. The principal residence's new base year value is $900,000. If Child meets the requirements for exclusion under this section, the principal residence will be assessed at its New Taxable Value, in accordance with subdivision (c) of this rule, rather than its new base year value.
Example 2: Base Year Value Calculation. Parent transfers 75 percent interest in their principal residence to Child and retains 25 percent interest. On March 1, 2021, the date of transfer, the principal residence has a factored base year value of $250,000 and a full cash value of $900,000. The principal residence's new base year value is $675,000 ($900,000 full cash value multiplied by the 75 percent interest transferred to Child) plus $62,500 ($250,000 factored base year value multiplied by the 25 percent interest retained by Parent) equals $737,500. If Child meets the requirements for exclusion under this section, the principal residence will be assessed at its New Taxable Value, in accordance with subdivision (c) of this rule, rather than its new base year value.
(c) NEW TAXABLE VALUE. The New Taxable Value of the principal residence or family farm shall be the sum of the amounts calculated in paragraphs (1) through (3):
Example 3: Excess Amount Calculation. On March 1, 2021, Parents' principal residence has a factored base year value of $250,000. The Excluded Amount is $1,250,000 ($1,000,000 plus $250,000 factored base year value). Parents transfer 100 percent interest in their principal residence to Child on March 1, 2021.
Examples 3-1 and 3-2 demonstrate alternatives using the facts described in Example 3.
Example 3-1: Zero Excess Amount. The principal residence has a full cash value of $900,000 on the date of transfer. Since $900,000 is less than the $1,250,000 Excluded Amount, the Excess Amount is zero. Therefore, the New Taxable Value on the date of transfer is the factored base year value of $250,000.
Example 3-2: Excess Amount. The principal residence has a full cash value of $1,300,000 on the date of transfer. Since $1,300,000 is greater than the $1,250,000 Excluded Amount, there is an Excess Amount of $50,000. Therefore, the New Taxable Value of the principal residence on the date of transfer is $300,000 ($250,000 factored base year value plus $50,000 Excess Amount).
Example 4: Transfer to both Eligible and Non-Eligible Transferees. On March 1, 2021, Parents' principal residence has a factored base year value of $250,000. The Excluded Amount is $1,250,000 ($1,000,000 plus $250,000 factored base year value). Parents transfer 75 percent interest in their principal residence to Child and the remaining 25 percent interest to Nephew on March 1, 2021.
Examples 4-1 and 4-2 demonstrate alternatives using the facts described in Example 4.
Example 4-1: Transfer to both Eligible and Non-Eligible Transferees: Zero Excess Amount. The principal residence has a full cash value of $900,000 on the date of transfer. Since $900,000 is less than the $1,250,000 Excluded Amount, the Excess Amount is zero. Therefore, the Eligible Transferee's New Taxable Value on the date of transfer is $187,500 ($250,000 factored base year value multiplied by the 75 percent interest transferred to Child). Since 25 percent of the principal residence is transferred to Nephew, a non-eligible transferee, the Noneligible Transferee's New Taxable Value is $225,000 ($900,000 full cash value multiplied by the 25 percent interest transferred to Nephew). Thus, the New Taxable Value of the principal residence is $412,500 ($187,500 plus $225,000).
Example 4-2: Transfer to both Eligible and Non-Eligible Transferees: Excess Amount. The principal residence has a full cash value of $1,300,000 on the date of transfer. Since $1,300,000 is greater than the $1,250,000 Excluded Amount, the Excess Amount is $50,000. Since 75 percent interest in the principal residence was transferred to Child, the Eligible Transferee's New Taxable Value is $225,000 ($250,000 factored base year value plus $50,000 Excess Amount, multiplied by Child's 75 percent interest). Since 25 percent interest in the principal residence was transferred to Nephew, a non-eligible transferee, the Noneligible Transferee's New Taxable Value is $325,000 ($1,300,000 full cash value multiplied by the 25 percent interest transferred to Nephew). Therefore, the New Taxable Value of the principal residence is $550,000 ($225,000 plus $325,000).
Example 5: Transfer to an Existing Owner Eligible Transferee. On June 1, 2022, Parent's principal residence has a factored base year value of $320,000. The Excluded Amount is $1,320,000 ($1,000,000 plus $320,000 factored base year value). Parent's principal residence is owned 60 percent by Parent and 40 percent by Child. Parent transfers her 60 percent interest to Child. Child meets all intergenerational transfer exclusion requirements, and the exclusion is applied.
Examples 5-1 and 5-2 demonstrate alternatives using the facts described in Example 5.
Example 5-1: Transfer to an Existing Owner Eligible Transferee: Zero Excess Amount. The full cash value of the principal residence is $1,100,000 on the date of transfer. Since the Excluded Amount ($1,320,000) is greater than the full cash value of the principal residence, the Excess Amount is zero. The Eligible Transferee's New Taxable Value on the date of transfer is $192,000 ($320,000 factored base year value multiplied by the 60 percent interest transferred to Child). Since 40 percent interest in the principal residence was already owned by Child and not transferred, the factored base year value of the Non-Transferred Interest is $128,000 ($320,000 factored base year value multiplied by the Child's 40 percent interest not transferred). Thus, the New Taxable Value of the principal residence is $320,000 ($192,000 plus $128,000).
Example 5-2: Transfer to an Existing Owner Eligible Transferee: Excess Amount. The full cash value of the principal residence is $1,500,000 on the date of transfer. Since the full cash value of the principal residence ($1,500,000) is greater than the $1,320,000 Excluded Amount, there is an Excess Amount of $180,000. Therefore, the Eligible Transferee's New Taxable Value is $300,000 ($320,000 factored base year value plus $180,000 Excess Amount, multiplied by the 60 percent interest transferred to Child). Since 40 percent interest in the principal residence was already owned by Child and not transferred, the factored base year value of the Non-Transferred Interest is $128,000 ($320,000 factored base year value multiplied by the Child's 40 percent interest not transferred). Therefore, the New Taxable Value of the principal residence is $428,000 ($300,000 plus $128,000).
Example 6: Transfer to an Existing Owner Eligible Transferee and Non-Eligible Transferee. On June 1, 2022, Parent's principal residence has a factored base year value of $320,000 and a full cash value of $1,500,000. The Excluded Amount is $1,320,000 ($1,000,000 plus $320,000 factored base year value). The Excess Amount is $180,000. Parent's principal residence is owned 60 percent by Parent and 40 percent by Child. Parent transfers half of her 60 percent interest to Child and her remaining 30 percent interest to Niece. Child meets all intergenerational transfer exclusion requirements, and the exclusion is applied. The Eligible Transferee's New Taxable Value is $150,000 ($320,000 factored base year value plus $180,000 Excess Amount, multiplied by the 30 percent interest transferred to Child). Since 30 percent of the principal residence was transferred to Niece, a non-eligible transferee, the Noneligible Transferee's New Taxable Value is $450,000 ($1,500,000 full cash value multiplied by the 30 percent interest transferred to Niece). Since 40 percent interest in the principal residence was already owned by Child and not transferred, the factored base year value of the Non-Transferred Interests is $128,000 ($320,000 factored base year value multiplied by the Child's 40 percent interest not transferred). Therefore, the New Taxable Value of the principal residence is $728,000 ($150,000 plus $450,000 plus $128,000).
(d) TAXABLE VALUE UPON EXCLUSION REMOVAL.
Example 7: Calculation of Taxable Value on Exclusion Removal. Parent transfers their principal residence 60 percent interest to Son and 40 percent interest to Daughter. On the date of transfer, the principal residence has a factored base year value of $150,000 and a full cash value of $800,000. Since 100 percent interest in the principal residence is transferred, the principal residence's new base year value as determined in subdivision (b) of this rule is $800,000. Son meets all intergenerational transfer exclusion requirements, and the exclusion is applied. The New Taxable Value of the principal residence, pursuant to subdivision (c) of this rule, at the time the exclusion is first applied is $150,000. Five years later, Son moves out of the principal residence and no longer qualifies for the exclusion. If the inflation factor was 2 percent each of the five years the property was Son's principal residence, the taxable value of the principal residence at the time Son moves out is $165,612 ($150,000 multiplied by the 2 percent adjustment for 5 years).
Examples 7-1 through 7-4 demonstrate alternatives using the facts described in Example 7.
Example 7-1: No Qualifying Subsequent Eligible Transferee: Full Exclusion Removal. Son and Daughter rent the property to a third party. As of the date the principal residence no longer qualifies for the homeowners' exemption, it no longer qualifies for the intergenerational transfer exclusion. Since 100 percent interest in the property is retained by former eligible transferees (Son and Daughter), the taxable value upon removal of the exclusion is the new base year value established at the time of the transfer ($800,000) adjusted by the inflation factor for five years. Since the inflation factor was 2 percent each of those five years, the new base year value factored for inflation upon removal of the exclusion is $883,265 ($800,000 multiplied by the 2 percent adjustment for 5 years).
Example 7-2: Qualifying Subsequent Eligible Transferee: Exclusion Retained. Instead of renting the property to a third party, Daughter moves in within one year of Son moving out (which is 5 years after the transfer from Parent) and meets all intergenerational transfer exclusion requirements. Since the property became the principal residence of another eligible transferee (Daughter) within one year, the intergenerational transfer exclusion is not removed. Therefore, the New Taxable Value, which is the taxable value, of the principal residence remains at $165,612.
Example 7-3: Qualifying Subsequent Eligible Transferee: Partial Exclusion Removal, Partial Change in Ownership. Instead of renting the property to a third party, Daughter moves in within one year of Son moving out (which is 5 years after the transfer from Parent) and meets all intergenerational transfer exclusion requirements. At the time Son moves out, he sells his 60 percent interest to Daughter when the full cash value of the principal residence was $900,000. Although the property became the principal residence of another eligible transferee (Daughter) within one year, since 60 percent interest in the principal residence was transferred to Daughter by Son, 60 percent of the exclusion is removed and 60 percent interest in the principal residence is reassessed, since there is no exclusion from reassessment for transfers between siblings. Therefore, the New Taxable Value upon partial removal of the exclusion is $606,245, which is equal to the reassessed amount of $540,000 ($900,000 multiplied by the 60 percent interest sold to Daughter) plus Daughter's retained factored base year value of $66,245 ($165,612 multiplied by Daughter's 40 percent interest).
Example 7-4: No Qualifying Subsequent Eligible Transferee: Full Exclusion Removal, Partial Change in Ownership. Son sells his 60 percent interest to Daughter when the full cash value of the principal residence was $800,000. Daughter rents the property to a third party. Since 60 percent interest in the principal residence was transferred to Daughter by Son, 60 percent of the principal residence must be reassessed, since there is no exclusion from reassessment for transfers between siblings. Therefore, the reassessed amount is $480,000 ($800,000 full cash value multiplied by the 60 percent interest sold to Daughter). Additionally, Daughter's 40 percent interest no longer qualifies for the exclusion. However, Daughter's 40 percent interest is not subject to reassessment at this time, but instead becomes a portion (40 percent) of the new base year value that was established at the time of the original transfer ($800,000), adjusted by the inflation factor for five years, which was previously excluded from reassessment by the intergenerational transfer exclusion. Since the inflation factor was 2 percent each of those five years, that amount is $883,265 ($800,000 multiplied by the 2 percent adjustment for 5 years). $883,265 multiplied by the 40 percent interest in the real property retained by Daughter is equal to $353,306. Therefore, the new base year value upon partial reassessment and then removal of the remaining exclusion of the principal residence is $833,306 ($480,000 plus $353,306).
Example 8: Calculation of Taxable Value on Exclusion Removal. Parent transfers their principal residence 50 percent interest to Son and 30 percent interest to Daughter, retaining the remaining 20 percent interest. On the date of transfer, the principal residence has a factored base year value of $150,000 and a full cash value of $800,000. Since 80 percent interest in the principal residence was transferred, the principal residence's new base year value as determined in subdivision (b) is $670,000 ($800,000 full cash value multiplied by the 80 percent interest transferred to Son and Daughter plus $150,000 factored base year value multiplied by the 20 percent interest retained by Parent).
Example 9: Transfer of a Family Farm with a Principal Residence. A principal residence and family farm are located on a single, 60-acre legal parcel. The New Taxable Value of the principal residence and family farm are computed separately. The factored base year value of the entire legal parcel is $450,000, $200,000 of which is attributable to the principal residence and $250,000 of which is attributable to the family farm. The full cash value of the legal parcel is $2,800,000, $1,200,000 of which is attributable to the principal residence and $1,600,000 of which is attributable to the family farm. Parent transfers the entire legal parcel to Child on July 8, 2021. All other intergenerational transfer exclusion requirements have been met. The Excluded Amount of the principal residence is $1,200,000 ($1,000,000 plus $200,000 factored base year value of the residence). Since the full cash value of the residence is not greater than the Excluded Amount of the residence, the New Taxable Value of the residence is the factored base year value of $200,000. The Excluded Amount of the family farm is $1,250,000 ($1,000,000 plus $250,000 factored base year value of the family farm). Since the full cash value of the farm is $1,600,000, it has an Excess Value of $350,000 ($1,600,000 full cash value minus $1,250,000 Excluded Amount). Therefore, the New Taxable Value of the family farm is $600,000 ($250,000 factored base year value plus $350,000 Excess Value). The New Taxable Value of the entire legal parcel is $800,000 ($200,000 plus $600,000).
Example 10: Calculation of Taxable Value on Exclusion Removal. Three years after the transfer in Example 9, Child moves out of state and leases the farm to Cousin for five years. The residence no longer qualifies for the exclusion. The family farm remains eligible for the exclusion. If the inflation factor was 2 percent each of the three years the property was Child's principal residence, the taxable value of the family farm is $636,725 ($600,000 multiplied by the 2 percent adjustment for 3 years). The taxable value of the principal residence at the time Child moves out is $1,273,450 ($1,200,000 multiplied by the 2 percent adjustment for 3 years). Therefore, the New Taxable Value of the entire parcel is $1,910,175.
(e) DEFINITIONS. The following definitions govern the construction of the words or phrases used in this section.
(f) FILING.
Example 11: Exemption and Exclusion Forms Filed at Time of Transfer. Parent transfers their principal residence to Son and Daughter on March 1, 2021. The property is also the principal residence of Son. Son files a claim for the homeowners' exemption and the intergenerational transfer exclusion claim form at the time of the transfer. Because the homeowners' exemption claim form was filed within one year of the date of transfer as required by subdivision (a)(1)(A) and the intergenerational transfer exclusion claim form was filed within three years of the date of the transfer of the property as required by subdivision (f)(2), both filing requirements have been satisfied and, as long as Child meets all other eligibility requirements, the New Taxable Value as of March 1, 2021, will be calculated pursuant to subdivision (c) of this section.
Example 11-1: Exemption and Exclusion Forms Filed at Time of Transfer to Subsequent Eligible Transferee. A number of years later, Son moves out of the principal residence and Daughter moves in, making it her principal residence. Since Daughter was an eligible transferee of Parent, as long as Daughter files a homeowners' exemption claim form within one year and the intergenerational transfer exclusion claim form within three years of the date Son moves out of the property, the property remains eligible for the intergenerational transfer exclusion.
Example 12: Exemption and Exclusion Form Filed Within One Year of Transfer. Parent transfers their principal residence to Child on March 1, 2021. The property is also the principal residence of Child. Child does not file a claim for the homeowners' exemption at the time of transfer, but files the homeowners' exemption and intergenerational transfer exclusion claim forms on February 1, 2022. A change in ownership will be processed as of March 1, 2021, and a new base year value established as of that date. Assuming Child meets all other eligibility requirements, a New Taxable Value as calculated in subdivision (c) of this section will be restored as of March 1, 2021, and Child shall be entitled to a refund of property taxes previously paid or a cancellation of taxes previously owed between March 1, 2021, and January 31, 2022.
Example 13: Exclusion Form Filed Within Three Years of Transfer. Parent transfers their principal residence to Child on March 1, 2021. The property is also the principal residence of Child. Child files a claim for the homeowners' exemption at the time of the transfer. Child still owns the property as their principal residence on March 1, 2023, and files the intergenerational transfer exclusion claim form on that date. A change in ownership will be processed as of March 1, 2021, and a new base year value established as of that date. Assuming Child meets all other eligibility requirements, a New Taxable Value as calculated in subdivision (c) of this section will be restored as of March 1, 2021, and Child shall be entitled to a refund of property taxes previously paid or a cancellation of taxes previously owed between March 1, 2021, and February 28, 2023.
Example 14: Exclusion Form Not Filed Within Three Years of Transfer. Parent transfers their principal residence to Child on March 1, 2021. The property is also the principal residence of Child. Child files a claim for the homeowners' exemption at the time of the transfer. Child does not file an intergenerational transfer exclusion form and receives a notice of supplemental assessment on April 1, 2025. As long as Child files the exclusion claim form within six months of April 1, 2025, and meets all other eligibility requirements, the principal residence will be assessed at its New Taxable Value as of March 1, 2021, calculated pursuant to subdivision (c) of this section. Child shall be entitled to a refund of property taxes previously paid or a cancellation of taxes previously owed between March 1, 2021, and March 31, 2025.
Example 15: Exemption Form Not Filed Within One Year of Transfer. Parent transfers their principal residence to Child on March 1, 2021. The property is also the principal residence of Child. Child files an intergenerational transfer exclusion form at the time of transfer but does not file a claim for the homeowners' exemption until a notice of supplemental assessment is received on April 1, 2023. Because Child did not file the homeowners' exemption within one year of the transfer, he is only eligible for prospective relief. The New Taxable Value as calculated in accordance with subdivision (c) of this rule will be enrolled as of January 1, 2023.
Example 16: Property Does Not Become Principal Residence of Transferee Within One Year of Transfer. Parent transfers their principal residence to Child on March 1, 2021. Intending to move into the property, Child files an intergenerational transfer exclusion form at the time of transfer. However, Child does not move into the property until June 1, 2022, and files the homeowners' exemption form at that time. Because Child did not move into the property within one year of the transfer, she is not eligible for the exclusion.
Example 17: Parent transfers their principal residence to Child on March 1, 2021. The property is also the principal residence of Child. Child files a claim for the homeowners' exemption at the time of the transfer. Child receives a notice of supplemental assessment on April 1, 2022, and files the exclusion claim form one year later, on April 1, 2023. Assuming Child meets all other eligibility requirements, the principal residence will be assessed at its New Taxable Value on March 1, 2021, as calculated pursuant to subdivision (c) of this rule, adjusted for inflation factor increases pursuant to subdivision (a) of section 51 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(g) ADJUSTMENT OF $1,000,000.
1. New
section filed 10-26-2021; operative 1-1-2022 (Register 2021, No. 44).
Transmission deadline specified in Government Code section
11346.4(b)
extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional
60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-71-20. Filing deadline specified
in Government Code section
11349.3(a)
extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional
60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-71-20.
2. Amendment
filed 7-18-2022 as an emergency; operative 7-18-2022 (Register 2022, No. 29). A
Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 1-17-2023 or emergency
language will be repealed by operation of law on the following
day.
3. Amendment refiled 1-18-2023 as an emergency, including
amendment of subsections (c)(4) -- Example 6, (d)(2) -- Example 8B, (f)(1)(B)
and (f)(3) -- Examples 11-1 to 14; operative 1-18-2023 (Register 2023, No. 3).
A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 4-18-2023 or
emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following
day.
4. Certificate of Compliance as to 1-18-2023 order transmitted
to OAL 3-8-2023 and filed 4-18-2023 (Register 2023, No.
16).
Note: Authority cited: Section 15606, Government Code. Reference: Article XIII A, Section 2.1, California Constitution; and Sections 60 and 63.2, Revenue and Taxation Code.