Rules May be Eased for Fire Victims

The Orange County Board of Supervisors is expected to approve an emergency order today that would ease the process of qualifying for property tax reductions or deferral of tax payments for residents whose homes were destroyed or damaged in the recent wildfires.

Under the proposed order requested by county Assessor Bradley L. Jacobs, the county would waive existing rules requiring homeowners to apply for tax relief before it is granted.

If the Board of Supervisors approves the order today, the assessor would be authorized to make reassessments of damaged property without a written request from the property owner.

Under California law, property owners who have suffered at least $5,000 in damage qualify for reductions.