AppealDesk

Kern County Property Tax Appeal, California

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 24, 2026

Kern County is located in California's southern San Joaquin Valley, with its county seat in Bakersfield. With a population of approximately 909,000 residents and covering over 8,100 square miles, it is California's 11th largest county by population and third largest by land area. The county's economy is driven by agriculture, oil and gas production, aerospace, and manufacturing. Property tax appeals are particularly important here as the median annual tax bill of $2,984 exceeds the national median of $2,400 by $584, and with an effective rate of 1.37%, homeowners can face significant tax burdens on properties that may be overassessed.

Notable cities: Bakersfield, Delano, Ridgecrest, Tehachapi, California City

Median Home

$219,000

Tax Rate

1.37%

Annual Tax

$2,984

Population

909,000

On the typical Kern County home, valued near $219,000 at the county’s effective tax rate of 1.37%, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying year after year until you appeal it. Here is how to find out if yours qualifies.

2026 Appeal Deadline: July 2 through November 30, 2026 for regular assessments

That is at most 97 days away. Your exact date is on your assessment notice, so do not wait on it.

For regular assessment appeals (value as of January 1, 2026), the filing period is July 2 through November 30, 2026. For supplemental assessments resulting from changes in ownership or new construction, you have 60 days from the date of the notice mailing. For escape assessments, you have 60 days from the notice date.

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California residential street with palm trees at sunset. Kern County appeal guide.

How Kern County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Kern County Assessor-Recorder

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: Spring (typically by mid-May)

In California, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value as of January 1 each year. However, Proposition 13 limits annual assessment increases to 2% until the property changes ownership. For example: If your home's market value is $219,000, at California's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $219,000 (unless limited by Prop 13), resulting in approximately $3,000 in annual taxes at Kern County's effective rate of 1.37%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Assessment Appeals Board. The Assessment Appeals Board will schedule a hearing where you present your evidence supporting your opinion of value. Based on the evidence presented, the Board can increase, decrease, or maintain the current assessment. The Board's decision is final and cannot be reconsidered by the Board itself, though you may appeal to superior court.

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Step 1: Contact the Kern County Assessor's office at 661-868-3485 for an informal review. Request a Proposition 8 decline-in-value review if you believe your property's market value is less than the assessed value. The Assessor may correct errors without requiring a formal appeal.

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Step 2: If the informal review doesn't resolve the issue, obtain the Assessment Appeal Application (form BOE-305-AH) from the Clerk of the Board or download it from the county website. Complete all sections including your opinion of value and supporting reasons.

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Step 3: File your completed application with the Clerk of the Board before the deadline (November 30, 2026 for regular assessments). You can file by mail to 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301, or in person during business hours.

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Step 4: Gather evidence to support your appeal, including comparable sales from your area (sold between January 1 and March 31 of the tax year), photographs showing property condition, repair estimates for defects, income and expense statements for rental properties, and any other documentation demonstrating the assessed value exceeds market value.

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Step 5: Attend your hearing before the Assessment Appeals Board. Present your evidence clearly and professionally. The Board may increase, decrease, or maintain the assessment based on the evidence. Continue paying your property taxes during the appeal to avoid penalties.

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Step 6: If the Assessment Appeals Board denies your appeal and you still disagree, you may file an action in Kern County Superior Court for judicial review of the decision within the time allowed by law.

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Step 7: If your appeal is successful and results in a reduced assessment, the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector will process a revised tax bill or refund based on the difference in taxes paid.

Required form: Assessment Appeal Application (BOE-305-AH)

Filing Methods

mail:Clerk of the Board, Kern County, 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
in-person:Clerk of the Board office at 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301, Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
phone:Call the Assessor's office at 661-868-3485 to request forms or discuss your assessment

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales from your neighborhood (sold between January 1 and March 31 of the tax year)Photographs documenting property condition or defectsRepair estimates or inspection reports for significant damage or needed repairsIncome and expense statements for income-producing propertiesIndependent appraisals or professional valuationsDocumentation of property characteristics (square footage, lot size, etc.)

Kern County Assessor Contact

Kern County Assessor-Recorder

Website: https://www.kerncounty.com/assessor-recorder

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (except County Holidays)

Tax Exemptions in Kern County

Homeowners' Exemption

$7,000

Reduces the assessed value of your primary residence by $7,000

Eligibility: You must own and occupy the home as your principal place of residence on January 1 of the tax year. Only one exemption is allowed per owner.Deadline: February 15 for full exemption in that year; file anytime after becoming eligible

Disabled Veterans' Exemption (Basic)

$180,671 (2026 amount)

Reduces assessed value for qualifying 100% disabled veterans

Eligibility: Must have 100% service-connected disability rating or be receiving compensation at the 100% rate due to individual unemployability (TDIU). Property must be principal residence. Unmarried surviving spouses may also qualify.Deadline: February 15 annually; file form BOE-261-G with the County Assessor

Disabled Veterans' Exemption (Low-Income)

$271,009 (2026 amount)

Higher exemption amount for low-income disabled veterans

Eligibility: Same disability requirements as basic exemption, but household income must be $81,131 or less annually. Requires annual income recertification by February 15 each year.Deadline: February 15 annually with income recertification

Proposition 19 Base Year Value Transfer

Transfers existing Proposition 13 base year value (with adjustments)

Allows homeowners age 55+, severely disabled, or wildfire/disaster victims to transfer their property tax base to a replacement primary residence

Eligibility: Must be age 55 or older, severely disabled, or a victim of wildfire or Governor-declared disaster. Can transfer up to three times. Replacement home must be principal residence and purchased within two years of sale of original property.Deadline: File within three years of purchasing replacement property

Kern County Appeal Packet · $49

Comparable sales evidence, county-specific filing guide, and professional cover letter. Enter your address to get started.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Kern County for 2026?
For regular assessment appeals (based on the January 1, 2026 lien date), you must file your Assessment Appeal Application between July 2 and November 30, 2026. If you received a supplemental assessment notice due to a change in ownership or new construction, you have 60 days from the date the notice was mailed to file your appeal. For escape assessments, the deadline is also 60 days from the notice date. Missing these deadlines means you cannot appeal that year's assessment, so it's critical to file on time.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Kern County?
First, contact the Kern County Assessor at 661-868-3485 to request an informal Proposition 8 review, which may resolve the issue without a formal appeal. If that doesn't work, obtain the Assessment Appeal Application (form BOE-305-AH) from the Clerk of the Board or county website. Complete the form with your property information and opinion of value, then file it with the Clerk of the Board at 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301, either by mail or in person. You must file before the deadline and include supporting evidence like comparable sales data.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Kern County?
The California Homeowners' Exemption in Kern County reduces your primary residence's assessed value by $7,000. At Kern County's effective tax rate of 1.37%, this saves approximately $96 per year in property taxes. To qualify, you must own and occupy the home as your principal residence on January 1 of each year. You only need to file once (by February 15 for that year's full exemption), and the exemption automatically renews each year as long as you continue to occupy the home and notify the Assessor if your eligibility changes.
What evidence do I need for a successful Kern County property tax appeal?
The most important evidence is comparable sales data from properties similar to yours that sold between January 1 and March 31 of the tax year. Include at least three to five comparable properties with similar square footage, lot size, age, and condition. Also provide photographs documenting your property's condition, especially any defects or needed repairs, along with contractor estimates for major repairs. For income-producing properties, bring income and expense statements. An independent appraisal can strengthen your case but is not required. Market information after March 31 cannot be considered by the Assessment Appeals Board.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Kern County?
The potential savings depend on how much your property is overassessed. In Kern County, with an effective tax rate of 1.37%, every $10,000 reduction in assessed value saves you $137 per year in property taxes. If your home is assessed at $250,000 but comparable sales show it's worth $230,000, a successful appeal could reduce your assessment by $20,000, saving you $274 annually. Studies show about 25% of homes nationally are overassessed, with an average overassessment of $5,000 to $10,000, potentially saving Kern County homeowners $69 to $137 per year.
What happens at my Assessment Appeals Board hearing in Kern County?
At your hearing before the Kern County Assessment Appeals Board, you'll have the opportunity to present your evidence supporting your opinion of your property's value as of January 1. The Assessor will also present their evidence supporting the current assessment. The hearing is typically informal but conducted like a legal proceeding. You should bring all your evidence including comparable sales, photographs, and any other supporting documentation. After both sides present, the Board will deliberate and make a decision to increase, decrease, or maintain the assessment. The Board's decision is final and cannot be reconsidered by the Board itself.
Can I appeal my Kern County property taxes if I recently bought my home?
Yes, you can appeal even if you recently purchased your home. If your purchase price was lower than the assessed value shown on your supplemental assessment notice, this is strong evidence that the assessment is too high. You have 60 days from the supplemental assessment notice date to file an appeal. Even for regular assessments, if you bought the property and believe the Assessor's valuation exceeds the actual market value, you can file during the regular appeal period (July 2 through November 30). Bring your purchase documents, comparable sales from the area, and any evidence of property condition issues discovered after purchase.
Do I have to pay my property taxes while my Kern County appeal is pending?
Yes, you must continue to pay your property taxes according to the original tax bill even while your appeal is pending. Failure to pay on time will result in a 10% late penalty plus a $10 delinquency fee, and these penalties cannot be waived even if your appeal is successful. In Kern County, the first installment is due November 1 (delinquent after December 10) and the second installment is due February 1 (delinquent after April 10). If your appeal is successful and results in a reduced assessment, the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector will issue a refund for the overpaid amount.

Official Resources

Kern County Assessor-Recorder Official Website →

Access property search tools, assessment information, forms, and contact information for the Assessor's office.

Kern County Assessment Appeals Board →

Find appeal forms, filing deadlines, board rules, and information about the formal assessment appeal process.

California State Board of Equalization - Property Tax Information →

Official state resources including property tax publications, exemption forms, and guides for California property owners.

Kern County Property Tax Portal →

Comprehensive property tax information from the Assessor-Recorder, Treasurer-Tax Collector, and Clerk of the Board offices.

For state-wide appeal information including California's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our California Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More California Counties

Alameda County (Oakland)Butte County (Chico)Contra Costa County (Martinez)El Dorado County (Placerville)Fresno County (Fresno)Imperial County (El Centro)
← All California property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.kerncounty.com/government/board-of-supervisors/clerk-of-the-board/assessment-appeals | https://www.kerncounty.com/government/departments/assessor-recorder | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/california/kern-county/kern-county | https://www.tax-rates.org/california/kern_county_property_tax | https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/

Last verified: 2026-07-24