Can I transfer my property tax base under Prop 19 if I am over 55?

Transfers are allowed up to 3 times for taxpayers over 55

Here are the important details to keep in mind for base-year transfers by taxpayers over the age of 55 in California:

This benefit applies anywhere in California and is not limited to specific counties.
To qualify, you must be at least 55 years old at the time of selling your original property.
There is no requirement for the replacement dwelling to be of equal or lesser value.
You must acquire or construct the replacement property within 2 years before or after selling the original property.
It is crucial to file for a homeowners' exemption within 3 years following the purchase date or completion of the replacement property construction.
The original property must undergo reappraisal at its current fair market value.
Keep in mind that transfers of the original property that are exempt from reappraisal, such as those between parents and children or transfers between spouses during a divorce proceeding, will not qualify for this benefit.

Equal or lesser value

The assessed value of the replacement property will be the value of the original property
Equal or lesser defined:
• 100% of the market value of the original property, if the replacement property is purchased
or newly constructed before the original property is sold;
• 105% of the market value of the original property, if the replacement property is purchased
or newly constructed within the first year after the original property is sold; or
• 110% of the market value of the original property, if the replacement property is purchased
or newly constructed within the second year after the original property is sold.

Higher value

The assessed value of the replacement property would be equal to the assessed value of the original property, plus the difference in FMV between the original property and the FMV of the replacement property.

Miscellaneous

For divorcing couples, only one spouse will qualify to transfer the property tax base from the
original principal residence to a replacement property.
For a duplex, or multiunit property, the available relief is limited. Only the part of the property
in which the taxpayers are living will qualify for the base-year transfer. This does not apply to ADUs on the taxpayers primary residence.
The base-year value cannot be transferred if one spouse stays in the original primary
residence.
A previous base-year value transfer under Proposition 60, 90, or 110 will not be counted
toward the three-transfer limit under Proposition 19.

Forms to file

BOE-19-B, Claim for Transfer of Base Year Value to Replacement Primary Residence for
Persons at Least Age 55 Years;
BOE-19-C, Certification of Value by Assessor for Base Year Value Transfer;
BOE-19-D, Claim for Transfer of Base Year Value to Replacement Primary Residence for
Severely Disabled Persons; and
BOE-19-DC, Certificate of Disability.

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