How is property tax calculated in California?

Under Proposition 13, property is assessed at full purchase or market value, taxed at a 1% base rate plus voter-approved bonds and assessments. In Fresno the combined rate is typically around 1.1% of assessed value.

What is the homeowners' exemption?

California offers a $7,000 reduction in assessed value for owner-occupied homes, saving roughly $70 to $80 per year at the typical rate. The tool subtracts this exemption before applying the rate when you check the owner-occupied box.

Does Proposition 13 cap increases?

Yes. Proposition 13 limits annual assessed-value increases to 2% unless the property changes ownership or is newly built. This is why long-held homes often have an effective rate well below 1.1% of current market value.

Why is the effective rate sometimes lower than 1.1%?

Because assessed value can lag current market value for properties held for years, the tax measured against today's market price can fall below the nominal rate. The tool shows the effective rate against the value you enter.

Are bonds and assessments included?

The default 1.1% rate approximates the 1% base plus typical voter-approved bonds and special assessments. Your exact rate depends on school, water, and district levies, so adjust the rate field for your specific parcel.

Fresno Property Tax Estimator

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Estimate your Fresno property tax

California property tax is governed by Proposition 13, which assesses property at its full purchase or market value and applies a 1% base rate. Voter-approved bonds and local assessments push Fresno’s typical combined rate to about 1.1% of assessed value. This estimator applies that rate, subtracts the homeowners’ exemption for owner-occupied homes, and shows your annual and monthly tax.

How it works

The calculation assesses at full value, removes any exemption, and applies the combined rate:

assessed value = market or purchase value (100% in CA)
taxable value  = assessed - homeowners exemption ($7,000 if owner-occupied)
annual tax     = taxable value * (combined rate / 100)

Unlike states that assess at a fraction of value, California uses the full value. The $7,000 homeowners’ exemption is a flat reduction in assessed value, and Proposition 13 caps annual assessment growth at 2% until a sale or new construction resets the base.

Tips and example

A 400,000 home at the default 1.1% rate, with the homeowners’ exemption, has a taxable value of 393,000 and an estimated annual tax of about 4,323 — roughly 360 per month. Because Proposition 13 limits assessment growth to 2% per year, a long-held home can carry an effective rate well under 1.1% of its current market price. Adjust the combined rate to match your parcel’s specific bonds and assessments.