Tropical Storm Hilary victims eligible for tax relief, loans

County residents who were impacted by Tropical Storm Hilary may qualify for property tax relief. Property owners must file a claim with the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk’s office within 12 months from the date of damage or destruction. As permitted by state law, the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk’s office will then reassess damaged property and property taxes may be temporarily reduced until repairs are complete. The loss must be at least $10,000 of current market value to qualify.

“I encourage all homeowners whose property was damaged by Tropical Storm Hilary to contact our office,” said Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk Chris Wilhite. “It is also important to remember property owners may qualify for property tax relief due to other non-declared emergency events that damaged their home such as mudslides or fires.”

Property tax relief is available to owners of real property, business equipment and fixtures, including owners of aircraft, boats, and certain manufactured homes. To date, the Assessor-Recorder-Clerk’s office has contacted over 70 property owners who reported damage due to Tropical Storm Hilary through the Damage Assessment Online Survey.

In addition to property tax relief, San Bernardino County has partnered with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West to open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center to offer low interest loans for businesses and individuals who were impacted by Tropical Storm Hilary. The center is located at the Angelus Oaks Fire Station and will be open until Friday, Oct. 13. The hours of operation are Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center will be closed on Monday, Oct. 9 in observance of Columbus Day.

For more information on property disaster relief, please visit arc.sbcounty.gov/disaster or contact your local Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk district office.

Additional County Update News – October 6, 2023