Sacramento County Property Tax Appeal, California

Travis Bunn·Updated July 24, 2026

Sacramento County is located in northern California and serves as home to the state capital, Sacramento. With a population of approximately 1.6 million people, the county includes diverse communities ranging from urban areas like Sacramento to suburban cities such as Folsom, Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, and Rancho Cordova. The median home value in Sacramento County is $498,900, with an effective property tax rate of 0.76%, resulting in a median annual tax bill of $3,768. This places Sacramento County's tax burden above the national median of $2,400 and above the state average of 0.71%.

Notable cities: Sacramento, Elk Grove, Folsom, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova

Median Home

$498,900

Tax Rate

0.76%

Annual Tax

$3,768

Population

1,600,000

On the typical Sacramento County home, valued near $498,900 at the county’s effective tax rate of 0.76%, 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: November 30, 2026

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

The filing period for annual regular assessment appeals in Sacramento County runs from July 2, 2026 through November 30, 2026 (extended from November 30 due to it falling on a Sunday). Supplemental, escape, and roll correction assessment appeals must be filed within 60 days of the mailing date of the tax bill. Missing a deadline eliminates all recourse for that assessment year with no exceptions, extensions, or grace periods.

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

How Sacramento County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Sacramento County Assessor's Office

Assessment cycle: annual

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

In California, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value, meaning the assessed value equals the full market value at the time of purchase or new construction. For example, if your home's market value is $498,900 (Sacramento County's median), at California's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $498,900, resulting in approximately $3,792 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 0.76%. Thanks to Proposition 13, this assessed value can only increase by a maximum of 2% per year, regardless of market appreciation.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Assessment Appeals Board. The hearing is a quasi-judicial proceeding where both the property owner and the Assessor's office present evidence to support their opinions of value. The Assessment Appeals Board, an independent body separate from the Assessor's office, operates under California property tax law and local rules of procedure to make a binding decision.

Step 1: Consider filing an informal Prop 8 review with the Sacramento County Assessor's Office at (916) 875-0700 between July 1 and December 31. This free service may resolve your concern without a formal appeal.

Step 2: Obtain form BOE-305-AH (Assessment Appeal Application) from the Clerk of the Board at 700 H Street, Room 2450, Sacramento, CA 95814, by calling (916) 874-8174, or download from the county website.

Step 3: Gather supporting evidence including recent comparable sales (within the last 6 months and within a quarter mile of your property), photos showing property condition, repair estimates for any damage or defects, and a recent appraisal if available.

Step 4: Complete the BOE-305-AH form with original signature in blue ink and include a $30 non-refundable processing fee (check or money order payable to County of Sacramento). File between July 2 and November 30, 2026.

Step 5: After filing, the Assessor's office may contact you for an informal settlement. If no agreement is reached, your case will be scheduled for a formal hearing before the Assessment Appeals Board where you will present your evidence.

Step 6: Attend your scheduled hearing and present your evidence to the independent Assessment Appeals Board. Both you and the Assessor's office will present opinions of value, and the Board will make a binding decision.

Step 7: If you disagree with the local board's decision, you may appeal to the California State Board of Equalization or file a lawsuit in Superior Court within specific time frames outlined in your decision letter.

Required form: BOE-305-AH (Assessment Appeal Application) - must be the current version REV. 12 (5-24)

Filing Methods

mail:Mail completed form with $30 fee to: Assessment Appeals Board, 700 H Street, Room 2450, Sacramento, CA 95814

in-person:Deliver in person to: Assessment Appeals Board, 700 H Street, Room 2450, Sacramento, CA 95814 during business hours

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable sales (within last 6 months, within quarter mile)Recent appraisal reportPhotographs of property conditionRepair estimates for damage or defectsDocumentation showing market value declineProperty improvement cost records

Sacramento County Assessor Contact

Sacramento County Assessor's Office

Website: https://assessor.saccounty.gov/

Hours: Phone Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Office Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday

Tax Exemptions in Sacramento County

Homeowners' Exemption

$7,000 reduction in assessed value (approximately $70-$80 annual tax savings)

Reduces the assessed value of an owner-occupied primary residence

Eligibility: Owner-occupied primary residence. Must be your principal place of residence as of January 1 (lien date).Deadline: February 15 (one-time filing, continues automatically as long as property remains primary residence)

Disabled Veterans' Exemption - Basic

$180,671 reduction in assessed value for 2026

Property tax exemption for the primary residence of a disabled veteran or unmarried surviving spouse

Eligibility: US military veterans rated 100% disabled or 100% unemployable due to service-connected injury or disease, or unmarried surviving spouses of qualifying deceased disabled veteransDeadline: To receive 100% of exemption in first year, file between qualification date and following January 1, or 90 days after qualification date, whichever is later. Use form BOE-261-G.

Disabled Veterans' Exemption - Low Income

$271,009 reduction in assessed value for 2026

Enhanced property tax exemption for low-income disabled veterans

Eligibility: Same eligibility as basic disabled veterans' exemption, but total household income must not exceed $81,131 for 2026Deadline: Same as basic disabled veterans' exemption. File form BOE-261-G with income documentation.

Property Tax Postponement for Seniors

Postpones property taxes as a loan against the home equity

California State Controller's Property Tax Postponement Program allows eligible senior, blind, or disabled homeowners to defer current-year property taxes

Eligibility: Age 62 or older, blind, or disabled; minimum 40% equity in home; total household income cannot exceed certain limitsDeadline: February 10 annually with State Controller's Office

Sacramento County Appeal Statistics

Success Rate

38%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Sacramento County for 2026?

The deadline to appeal your 2026 property taxes in Sacramento County is November 30, 2026. The filing period opens on July 2, 2026, giving you five months to prepare and submit your appeal using form BOE-305-AH. For supplemental assessments triggered by a change of ownership or new construction, you have only 60 days from the mailing date of your supplemental tax bill to file an appeal. Missing these deadlines eliminates all recourse for that assessment year, with no exceptions, extensions, or grace periods allowed in California property tax appeals.

How do I file a property tax appeal in Sacramento County?

Sacramento County only accepts paper applications for property tax appeals. You must obtain form BOE-305-AH from the Assessment Appeals Board at 700 H Street, Room 2450, or by calling (916) 874-8174. Complete the form with an original signature in blue ink, include a $30 non-refundable processing fee payable to County of Sacramento, and submit it by mail or in person between July 2 and November 30, 2026. Sacramento County does not accept online filing, making it more restrictive than counties like Santa Clara or Los Angeles that have modernized with online systems. Before filing a formal appeal, you may also request a free informal Prop 8 review with the Assessor's office at (916) 875-0700.

What evidence do I need for a successful Sacramento County property tax appeal?

The most effective evidence for a Sacramento County property tax appeal includes recent comparable sales from the last six months, preferably within a quarter mile of your property. You should also gather photographs documenting your property's condition, repair estimates for any damage or defects, and a recent professional appraisal if available. The Assessment Appeals Board gives the most weight to recent comparable sales data that demonstrates your property's market value is lower than the assessed value. Additional supporting evidence such as documentation showing market value decline, property improvement cost records, or income and expense statements for income-producing properties can strengthen your case during the formal hearing.

What happens at a Sacramento County Assessment Appeals Board hearing?

The hearing before the Sacramento County Assessment Appeals Board is a quasi-judicial proceeding where both you and the Assessor's office present evidence to support your respective opinions of property value. The Assessment Appeals Board is an independent body, separate from the Assessor's office, that operates under California property tax law and local rules of procedure. You will have the opportunity to present your comparable sales, photographs, appraisals, and other evidence, while the Assessor presents their valuation methodology. The Board then makes a legally binding decision on the fair market value of your property. The appeals process can take up to two years from filing to final resolution, though many cases settle informally with the Assessor's office before reaching a formal hearing.

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Sacramento County?

If your appeal is successful in Sacramento County, your potential savings depend on the reduction in your assessed value and the effective tax rate of 0.76%. For example, if you successfully reduce your assessed value by $50,000, you would save approximately $380 per year in property taxes. According to statewide data, about 38% of California property tax appeals succeed. In Sacramento County, homeowners whose January 1, 2026 assessed value is higher than what the property would actually sell for could save $400 to $1,000 or more annually by filing a formal appeal. The median tax bill in Sacramento County is $3,768, so even a 10-15% reduction can result in significant annual savings that continue year after year.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Sacramento County?

The California Homeowners' Exemption reduces your assessed value by $7,000 for owner-occupied primary residences in Sacramento County. At Sacramento County's effective tax rate of 0.76%, this exemption saves approximately $53 per year in property taxes. You only need to file form BOE-266 with the Sacramento County Assessor's Office once by February 15, and the exemption continues automatically as long as the property remains your primary residence. This is separate from the homestead protection that protects equity from creditors, which in Sacramento County for 2026 is $370,550 or the countywide median sales price for a single-family home up to $731,300, whichever is greater. The Homeowners' Exemption application can be filed retroactively for limited years if you never applied.

Can I appeal my Sacramento County property taxes if I just bought my home?

Yes, you can appeal your Sacramento County property taxes even if you recently purchased your home, though it may be challenging since the purchase price typically establishes fair market value under California law. However, you should appeal if you believe there were unique circumstances affecting the sale price, if the property has suffered damage since purchase, if comparable sales show values have declined since your purchase, or if you received a supplemental assessment that appears incorrect. For supplemental assessments, you have only 60 days from the mailing date of the supplemental tax bill to file your appeal. New homeowners should also remember to file for the Homeowners' Exemption (form BOE-266) by February 15 to save approximately $53 annually, as this is not automatically applied.

What is the difference between an informal review and a formal appeal in Sacramento County?

In Sacramento County, you have two options: an informal Prop 8 review directly with the Assessor's office or a formal appeal with the Assessment Appeals Board. The informal review is free, can be filed between July 1 and December 31 with the Assessor at (916) 875-0700, and allows the Assessor to voluntarily reduce your assessed value if they agree with your evidence. However, only the formal appeal using form BOE-305-AH filed with the Assessment Appeals Board constitutes an actual legal appeal with binding authority. The formal appeal requires a $30 filing fee, must be filed between July 2 and November 30, 2026, and results in a hearing before the independent Assessment Appeals Board if no settlement is reached. Many property owners file both simultaneously to maximize their chances of a reduction while preserving their legal appeal rights.

Official Resources

Sacramento County Assessor's Office →

Official county assessor website with property information, forms, exemptions, and assessment appeal resources.

Sacramento County Assessment Appeals Board →

Official appeals board information including application forms, filing procedures, hearing schedules, and local rules.

California State Board of Equalization - Assessment Appeals →

State resources including Publication 30 (Residential Property Assessment Appeals guide), FAQs, and BOE-305-AH application form.

Sacramento County Property Tax Search (ePropTax) →

Online property tax bill lookup system to view your current assessment, tax bill amount, and payment history.

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://assessor.saccounty.gov/ | https://sccob.saccounty.gov/Pages/AssessmentAppeals.aspx | https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/asmappeal.htm | https://propertytaxrates.org/counties/california/sacramento-county/ | https://www.lowproptax.com/blog/sacramento-county-property-tax-appeals-2026-complete-guide

Last verified: 2026-07-24