Section 257 Of Article 2. Procedure To Claim Exemptions From California Revenue And Taxation Code >> Division 1. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 2.
257
. (a) Any person claiming the religious exemption shall submit
to the assessor an affidavit giving specific information relating to
property tax exemption.
(b) The affidavit shall show that:
(1) The building, equipment, and land are used exclusively for
religious purposes.
(2) The land claimed as exempt is required for the convenient use
of the building.
(3) The property is owned by an entity organized and operating
exclusively for religious purposes.
(4) The entity is nonprofit.
(5) No part of the net earnings inures to the benefit of any
private individual.
(c) Any exemption granted pursuant to a claim filed in accordance
with this section, once granted, shall remain in effect until that
time that title to the property changes or the property is no longer
used for exempt purposes. Any person who is granted an exemption
pursuant to a claim filed in accordance with this section shall
notify the assessor by February 15 if the property becomes ineligible
for the exemption.
(d) Upon any indication that a religious exemption has been
incorrectly allowed, the assessor shall make a redetermination of
eligibility for the religious exemption. If the assessor determines
that the property or any portion thereof is no longer eligible for
the exemption, he or she shall immediately cancel the exemption on so
much of the property as is no longer eligible for exemption.
If a religious exemption has been incorrectly allowed, an escape
assessment as allowed by Article 4 (commencing with Section 531) of
Chapter 3 in the amount of the exemption with interest as provided in
Section 506 shall be made, together with a penalty for failure to
notify the assessor, where applicable, in the amount of 10 percent of
the assessment, but may not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250)
in tax liability.