California’s Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order on 16 January 2025 to suspend penalties, costs, and any interest accrued on late property tax payments until 10 April 2026 for properties in areas affected by the firestorm.
This has the effect of extending the deadline for residents in those areas.
The Governor’s executive order:
- Suspends until 10 April 2026, certain state tax laws that impose penalties, costs, and interest for late payments of property taxes due in calendar year 2025.
- Suspends certain additional state tax laws requiring the filing of various property tax statements.
- Applies to properties in ZIP codes 90019, 90041, 90049, 90066, 90265, 90272, 90290, 90402, 91001, 91040, 91104, 91106, 91107, 93535, or 93536.
Earlier, Governor Newsom announced that the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) will provide state disaster tax relief for taxpayers and businesses affected by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles on 11 January 2025. Taxpayers in Los Angeles County will be granted a postponement to 15 October 2025 to file California tax returns on 2024 income and make any tax payments that would have been due 7 January 2025 through 15 October 2025.
The governor declared a state of emergency on 7 January 2025 in the Los Angeles region, including Pacific Palisades.
California law may offer property tax relief for owners impacted by the recent fires. Typically, property in the state is assessed based on its condition and value as of the annual lien date, which falls on 1 January.
Properties damaged or destroyed by a major disaster in an area officially declared a state of emergency by the governor may qualify for reassessment. Additionally, property owners may be eligible for relief if prolonged restricted access to their property has resulted in economic losses. Taxpayers must apply for property reassessment within the time set by local ordinance or within 12 months of the calamity, whichever is later.
