AppealDesk

Orange County Property Tax Appeal — California

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 15, 2026

Orange County, California, is one of the most populous and affluent counties in the state, with its county seat in Santa Ana and major population centers including Irvine, Anaheim, and Huntington Beach. Orange County is the one of the most densely populated counties in the state of California. It's also one of the richest counties in the nation. Property tax appeals matter here because while the median home value in Orange County, is $1,037,200 and the median property tax payment is $6,436 , many homeowners may be overassessed. The typical homeowner in Orange County pays around 0.62% of their home's value in property taxes each year , which is below the national effective rate of about 1.02% but still represents a substantial burden given the high home values.

Notable cities: Santa Ana, Irvine, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa

Median Home

$1,037,200

Tax Rate

0.62%

Annual Tax

$6,436

Population

3.2 million

2026 Appeal Deadline: Appeals application of regular annual assessments must be filed between July 2 and November 30.

Appeals application of regular annual assessments must be filed between July 2 and November 30. Appeals of Supplemental or Escape Assessments must be filed within 60 days of the date of "Notice of Supplemental Assessment" or "Notice of Enrollment of Escape Assessment". For 2026, the filing period is July 2 to Monday, December 1, 2026 because November 30 is a Sunday, per the OC Clerk of the Board.

Property in Orange County, California — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Orange County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: The Assessor is required by law to determine the value of all taxable property in Orange County for property tax purposes. Orange County Assessor Department

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: In Orange County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April.

In California, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value, meaning the assessed value equals the market value when initially purchased or reassessed. Property taxes in California are applied to assessed values. Each county collects a general property tax equal to 1% of assessed value. If your home's market value is $1,037,200 (the Orange County median), at California's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $1,037,200, resulting in approximately $6,431 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 0.62%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Assessment Appeals Board. Hearings usually start in the months after filing. A decision may be announced at the hearing or mailed later. If you win, the Auditor-Controller processes any refund.

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Step 1: The Assessor will send you a Value Notice in July showing the Taxable Value determined by the Assessor's review. The Taxable Value will be used to calculate your Annual Property Tax Bill. If you disagree with the valuation of your property you may file a formal assessment appeal with the Clerk of the Board between July 2 and November 30. Consider requesting an informal review first between January 1 and April 30.

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Step 2: Gather evidence for your appeal - Gather 3 to 6 closed sales, same neighborhood and property type, near January 1, 2026. Avoid pendings and actives, per the Clerk of the Board.

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Step 3: Complete the Online Assessment Appeal Application and You must still print, sign, and mail or deliver the application even if you complete it online. The original signature is required.

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Step 4: The clerk will then schedule a hearing for you to plead your case either to the Assessment Appeals Board, or a Hearing Officer. You get to decide whether you want to appear before the board or an officer. Hearings are scheduled on a first-come-first-served basis. You should generally expect your hearing to be about 6-9 months from your application date.

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Step 5: Attend your hearing and present evidence. For residential appeals, bring at least six sets of your comps for the hearing. The Board cannot consider sales more than 90 days after January 1, per the Clerk of the Board. Evidence closest to January 1 is strongest.

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Step 6: If unsuccessful at the Assessment Appeals Board, you may appeal to Superior Court within 6 months of the Board's final determination.

Required form: Online Assessment Appeal Application (must be printed, signed, and mailed)

Filing Methods

online: Start with the Online Assessment Appeal Application, then print, sign, and mail or deliver the application by the deadline. Original signature is required. No fee to file. Mail to P.O. Box 22023, Santa Ana, CA 92702 or file in person at 400 W. Civic Center Dr., Room 110, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
mail:P.O. Box 22023, Santa Ana, CA 92702
in-person:400 W. Civic Center Dr., Room 110, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Evidence to Bring

Comparable property salesProperty photographsRepair estimatesIndependent appraisals

Orange County Assessor Contact

Orange County Assessor Department

Phone: (714) 834-2727

Address: 500 S Main St, Floor 2, Orange, CA 92868

Website: https://www.ocassessor.gov/

Online Portal: https://ocappeal.com/ (for appeal applications)

Hours: The main office in Orange is available for public access Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The south county office in Mission Viejo is available for public access Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding the time between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM.

Tax Exemptions in Orange County

Homeowners' Exemption

$7,000 reduction in assessed value

A Homeowners' Exemption will save you at least $70 per year in property taxes, by exempting $7,000 of your property's value from taxation.

Eligibility: You own the property. It was your principal residence on January 1st at 12:01 a.m. You don't already have a Homeowners' Exemption on any other property. Deadline: The deadline for filing for the full $7,000 exemption is February 15th at 5:00 P.M. however, qualified applicants filing on or before December 10th may receive eighty percent (80%) of the full exemption amount, which is $5,600.

Disabled Veterans' Exemption

$4,000 to $300,000 depending on disability rating

Provides property tax relief for qualifying disabled veterans

Eligibility: Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated by the VADeadline: February 15

Senior Citizens Property Tax Postponement

Defers taxes with 8% annual interest

Allows eligible seniors to defer property tax payments

Eligibility: Age 62 or older, household income of $51,762 or less, 40% equity in homeDeadline: February 10

Official Resources

Orange County Assessor Website →

Official website for property assessments, exemptions, and informal review requests.

Orange County Clerk of the Board - Assessment Appeals →

Online portal for filing property tax appeals and checking appeal status.

Find My Assessed Value - Orange County →

Look up your property's assessed value and basic information online.

Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector →

Pay property taxes online and access tax bill information.

Check Your Orange County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Orange County property is overassessed.

✓ All 50 states✓ Instant results✓ $49 flat fee

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Orange County?
Appeals application of regular annual assessments must be filed between July 2 and November 30. However, if you receive a supplemental or escape assessment, Appeals of Supplemental or Escape Assessments must be filed within 60 days of the date of "Notice of Supplemental Assessment" or "Notice of Enrollment of Escape Assessment". It's crucial to mark these dates on your calendar as late submissions are typically not accepted. For the 2027 tax year, the regular appeal period will likely follow the same July 2 to November 30 schedule, though you should verify with the Clerk of the Board for any changes.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Orange County online?
Orange County offers an online appeal application process, but it's not entirely paperless. You'll start by completing the Online Assessment Appeal Application at https://ocappeal.com. You must still print, sign, and mail or deliver the application even if you complete it online. The original signature is required. Mail to P.O. Box 22023, Santa Ana, CA 92702 or file in person at 400 W. Civic Center Dr., Room 110, Santa Ana, CA 92701. There is no filing fee for property tax appeals in Orange County, making it accessible for all homeowners who believe they've been overassessed.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Orange County?
A Homeowners' Exemption will save you at least $70 per year in property taxes, by exempting $7,000 of your property's value from taxation. While this may seem modest compared to the high property values in Orange County, every bit helps. To qualify, You own the property. It was your principal residence on January 1st at 12:01 a.m. You don't already have a Homeowners' Exemption on any other property. The application deadline is February 15 for the full exemption, though partial exemptions are available if you file later in the year.
What happens at an Assessment Appeals Board hearing in Orange County?
The clerk will then schedule a hearing for you to plead your case either to the Assessment Appeals Board, or a Hearing Officer. You get to decide whether you want to appear before the board or an officer. During the hearing, you'll present your evidence including comparable sales data, photos, and any appraisals. For residential appeals, bring at least six sets of your comps for the hearing. The Board cannot consider sales more than 90 days after January 1, per the Clerk of the Board. Evidence closest to January 1 is strongest. The hearing is your opportunity to make your case for why your property was overassessed, so come prepared with organized documentation.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Orange County?
The potential savings from a successful property tax appeal in Orange County can be substantial, especially given that the median home value in Orange County, is $1,037,200 and the median property tax payment is $6,436 . If your appeal results in even a 10% reduction in assessed value, that could save you over $640 annually. Since property tax reductions typically remain in effect until the next reassessment event (like a sale or new construction), these savings compound over time. Statistics show that about 25% of homes in America are unfairly overassessed, and pay an average of $1,346 too much in property taxes every year. We can check your property's current assessment against similar properties in Orange County and tell you if you've been overassessed. If you have been overassessed, we can help you submit a tax appeal.
What evidence do I need for an Orange County property tax appeal?
Successful property tax appeals in Orange County require strong evidence focused on the January 1 lien date. Gather 3 to 6 closed sales, same neighborhood and property type, near January 1, 2026. Avoid pendings and actives, per the Clerk of the Board. The Board cannot consider sales more than 90 days after January 1, per the Clerk of the Board. Evidence closest to January 1 is strongest. Additional helpful evidence includes professional appraisals, photographs showing property condition issues, contractor estimates for necessary repairs, and documentation of any errors in the assessor's property records such as incorrect square footage or room count. Organize your evidence clearly and bring six copies to the hearing.
Can I request an informal review before filing a formal appeal in Orange County?
Yes, Orange County offers an informal review process that can potentially resolve your assessment concerns without a formal appeal. Informal review window is short: Jan 1 to Apr 30. Plan early. This free informal review allows you to discuss your property's assessment with the Assessor's office and present evidence of overvaluation. The Assessor will send you a Value Notice in July showing the Taxable Value determined by the Assessor's review. The Taxable Value will be used to calculate your Annual Property Tax Bill. If you disagree with the valuation of your property you may file a formal assessment appeal with the Clerk of the Board between July 2 and November 30.

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)Kern County (Bakersfield)
← All California property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.ocassessor.gov/ | https://smartasset.com/taxes/orange-county-california-property-tax-calculator | https://appealarc.com/kb/california/orange-county

Last verified: 2026-02-15