What is Proposition 13?
Proposition 13 is a California law that limits property taxes by capping the base tax rate near 1% of a property’s assessed value and restricting how fast the assessed value can rise each year while you own it. Reassessment to current market value generally happens when the property changes hands. It can mean longtime owners pay far less tax than new buyers next door.
Example: A longtime owner’s home is assessed far below market because of Proposition 13’s annual caps, but when they sell, the new buyer is reassessed at the purchase price.