University of California, Berkeley: How can a purchase change the assessed value used for property taxes?

DIRECT ANSWER

Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.

California’s Board of Equalization says a county assessor reviews a change in ownership and, when reassessment is required, values the property at current fair market value as of that date. Do not use the seller’s historic tax bill as the buyer’s post-purchase tax estimate.