Article 1. General Provisions And Definitions of California Revenue And Taxation Code >> Division 2. >> Part 10.5. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 1.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Senior Citizens and Disabled Citizens Property Tax Postponement Law."

Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions given in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 20501) of this part and in this article shall govern the construction of this chapter.

(a) "Residential dwelling" means a dwelling occupied as the principal place of residence of the claimant, and so much of the land surrounding it as is reasonably necessary for use of the dwelling as a home, owned by the claimant, the claimant and spouse, or by the claimant and either another individual eligible for postponement under this chapter or an individual described in subdivision (a), (b), or (c) of Section 20511 and located in this state. It shall include condominiums that are assessed as realty for local property tax purposes. It also includes part of a multidwelling or multipurpose building and a part of the land upon which it is built.
  (b) As used in this chapter in reference to ownership interests in residential dwellings, "owned" includes (1) the interest of a vendee in possession under a land sale contract provided that the contract or memorandum thereof is recorded and only from the date of recordation of the contract or memorandum thereof in the office of the county recorder where the residential dwelling is located, (2) the interest of the holder of a life estate provided that the instrument creating the life estate is recorded and only from the date of recordation of the instrument creating the life estate in the office of the county recorder where the residential dwelling is located, but "owned" does not include the interest of the holder of any remainder interest or the holder of a reversionary interest in the residential dwelling, (3) the interest of a joint tenant or a tenant in common in the residential dwelling or the interest of a tenant where title is held in tenancy by the entirety or a community property interest where title is held as community property, and (4) the interest in the residential dwelling in which the title is held in trust, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 62, provided that the Controller determines that the state's interest is adequately protected.
  (c) Except as provided in subdivision (c), and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 20625), ownership must be evidenced by an instrument duly recorded in the office of the county where the residential dwelling is located.
  (d) "Residential dwelling" does not include any of the following:
  (1) Any residential dwelling in which the owners do not have an equity of at least 40 percent of the full value of the property as determined for purposes of property taxation or at least 40 percent of the fair market value as determined by the Controller and where the Controller determines that the state's interest is adequately protected. The 40-percent equity requirement shall be met each time the claimant or authorized agent files a postponement claim.
  (2) Any residential dwelling in which the claimant's interest is held pursuant to a contract of sale or under a life estate, unless the claimant obtains the written consent of the vendor under the contract of sale, or the holder of the reversionary interest upon termination of the life estate, for the postponement of taxes and the creation of a lien on the real property in favor of the state for amounts postponed pursuant to this act.
  (3) Any residential dwelling on which the claimant does not receive a secured tax bill.
  (4) Any residential dwelling in which the claimant's interest is held as a possessory interest, except as provided in Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 20640).

(a) "Property taxes" means all ad valorem property taxes, special assessments, and other charges or user fees which are attributable to the residential dwelling on the county tax bill and the ad valorem property taxes, special assessments, or other charges or user fees appearing on the tax bill of any chartered city which levies and collects its own property taxes.
  (b) Whenever a residential dwelling is an integral part of a larger tax unit, such as a duplex, farm or a multipurpose building, "property taxes" shall be the percentage of the total property taxes as the value of the residential dwelling is of the value of the total tax unit.
  (c) "Property taxes" means property taxes for current fiscal years for which the claim is made and excludes delinquent taxes for prior fiscal years.

Postponement shall not be allowed under this chapter or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 20625), Chapter 3.3 (commencing with Section 20639), or Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 20640) if household income exceeds thirty five thousand five hundred dollars ($35,500).

For the purposes of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 20581), Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 20625), Chapter 3.3 (commencing with Section 20639), and Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 20640), only one claimant per household each year shall be entitled to postponement. When two or more individuals in a household are qualified as claimants, they may determine who the claimant shall be. Such decision is irrevocable. If the individuals are unable to agree, the matter shall be determined by the Controller and his or her decision shall be final.