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California Homestead Exemption Calculator

Work out what California's $7,000 homeowners' exemption saves and how much home equity the homestead law protects.

Updated November 4, 2026. Free, no sign-up; everything runs in your browser and nothing you type is stored.

California homestead exemption calculator

Assessed value, Prop 13 ($)Total property tax rate (%)When you file BOE-266Your home equity ($)County median single-family home price last year ($)

Property tax saved by the homeowners' exemption

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–Homeowners' exemption

–Property tax after the exemption

–Equity protected from creditors (homestead)

–Equity above the protection

Two different "homestead" exemptions in California

People searching for the California homestead exemption usually mean one of two separate laws:

1. The homeowners' property tax exemption

If you own and live in the home as your principal residence on January 1, you can claim the homeowners' exemption, which takes $7,000 off the assessed value (California Board of Equalization). File form BOE-266 with your county assessor by February 15 for the full exemption; claims filed February 16 through December 10 get 80% ($5,600). It renews automatically while you live there. At a typical 1% to 1.2% rate it saves about $70-$84 a year, on top of Prop 13's limit on assessed value increases. Disabled veterans may qualify for a much larger exemption.

2. The homestead exemption from creditors

Under Code of Civil Procedure section 704.730, a home you live in is protected from most judgment creditors and in bankruptcy up to the greater of $300,000 or the county's median sale price for a single-family home in the prior year, capped at $600,000. Those 2021 base amounts are adjusted for inflation every January (Judicial Council of California). The protection applies automatically; recording a declaration of homestead adds some protection in a voluntary sale.

Worked example

A $650,000 assessed home at 1.1% saves $77.00 a year with a timely BOE-266. In a county with an $800,000 median price, up to $600,000 of equity (plus inflation adjustments) is protected from creditors. Compare the Florida and Texas homestead exemptions, or estimate your bill with the property tax calculator.

Common questions

How much is the California homeowners' exemption?

$7,000 off assessed value, about $70-$84 a year in tax.

When is the BOE-266 deadline?

February 15 for the full exemption; 80% if filed by December 10.

How much equity does California's homestead exemption protect?

The greater of $300,000 or the county median home price, up to $600,000, adjusted for inflation since 2021.

Sources

More mortgage and home calculators: Amortization Calculator · Assumable Mortgage Calculator · Cap Rate Calculator · Cash on Cash Return Calculator

General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check important numbers with the official source before acting on them.