The one-year deadline has arrived for Southern Californians to apply for property tax relief in connection with the November 2018 Woolsey and Hill Fires.
Property owners have until Friday Nov. 8 -- or 12 months from the date of damage -- to submit claims to their respective county assessors.
"My staff and I have carefully surveyed the damage in affected communities, but safety issues have prevented us from identifying all those who are eligible for property tax relief," said Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang.
Photos: Aftermath of Destructive Woolsey Fire
People whose homes or businesses were damaged as a direct result of the fires may submit a claim.
As of mid-October, the Los Angeles County Assessor's Office approved over $3 million in tax relief by way of prorated refunds and adjustments to the 2018-2019 bills for 1,328 homes and businesses damaged or destroyed. Additional claims are pending review.
In Ventura County, the assessor office has approved about $1 million in tax relief for homes and businesses damaged or destroyed.
For Los Angeles County, claim forms may be obtained as follows:
- online: assessor.lacounty.gov/disaster-relief;
- by phone: 213-974-8658;
- by email: pio@assessor.lacounty.gov;
- by fax: 213-617-1493;
- on social media: @lacassessor;
- in person at any public counter location.
For Ventura County, claim forms may be obtained as follows:
- online: assessor.countyofventura.org;
- by phone: 805-654-2181;
- by email: assessor.disaster@ventura.org;
- by fax: 805-645-1305;
- in person: Hall of Administration, 800 South Victoria Ave. Ventura.
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The Woolsey Fire was one of several fires that ignited on November 8, 2018. It killed three people and injured five firefighters and residents, destroyed 1,643 structures, damaged hundreds more structures, and scorched 96,949 acres. Firefighters extinguished the blaze on Nov. 21, 2018.
The Hill Fire, which began on Nov.8, 2018, at Hill Canyon Road, burned over 4,531 acres in Ventura County, destroyed four homes, and damaged two others. Cal Fire officials declared the fire extinguished on Nov. 16, 2018.
Home and business owners who sustain property damage of at least $10,000 as a direct result of misfortune or a natural disaster such as fire, flood, or earthquake may be eligible for tax relief at any time. Claim forms must be filed with the appropriate county assessor's office within 12 months of the date the damage occurred.
