Clock ticking on L.A. County property tax-related refunds

Less than three months remain to claim money from a $45-million class action settlement for Los Angeles County property owners who failed to receive the correct interest payment when they were refunded overpaid property taxes.

Those eligible must mail a claim form and have it postmarked no later than Aug. 17, according to terms of the settlement. The claim form can be accessed on the website https://www.LosAngelesCountypropertytaxrefundsettlement.com

The settlement resolves a nearly 12-year-old lawsuit that alleged that the county systematically shortchanged property tax payers when refunding overpayments.

Anyone who received a property tax refund from Los Angeles County after March 1, 1993, might be eligible.

Los Angeles County has mailed out notices to affected property owners, but about 60% came back because the address was no longer valid.

Rob Pool, a lawyer representing the taxpayers, said that on average, “Homeowners move every seven years. The claim administrator is relying on the county’s mailing records. There is a large percentage of properties that have changed hands.”

A list of parcel numbers eligible for the refund can be viewed on the claim administrator’s website.

Property owners can also call (877) 740-6999 to inquire. In addition, property owners can look up parcel numbers with the county assessor’s office.

Typically, property owners would only get a refund if the amount was mistakenly overpaid or if the property’s assessed value was reduced after payment.

The refunds vary widely. The largest single refund claim is $915,000, which is to be refunded to an oil company, and the smallest is 1 cent, Pool said. More than 63,000 notices were mailed out, and the average award amount is about $641.

Institutions that received large refunds in the past and own multiple parcels were expected to be the biggest recipients. The city of Los Angeles is owed about $2.2 million; the University of California, $150,000; and USC, $160,000. Some homeowners are to receive more than $1,000.

“The big guys get the big recoveries,” said Al Ramseyer, principal deputy county counsel.

Ramseyer cautioned most property owners against expecting a windfall.

“Although you may be eligible for a refund, you shouldn’t overestimate … you shouldn’t spend that money yet,” Ramseyer said. “It’s going to be a very nominal amount for most taxpayers.”

A judge will determine the plaintiff’s attorneys share of the settlement — which could be as much as $12.5 million — in October.

ron.lin@latimes.com