California BOE Appraiser Certification flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Base Year Value

The full cash value of property at acquisition or the 1975-76 lien date value, adjusted annually by the California CPI, capped at 2% per year under Proposition 13.

Change in Ownership

A transfer of a present interest in real property that triggers reassessment to current full cash value, excluding certain transfers such as parent-child transfers under Proposition 58.

Lien Date

January 1 of each year, the date on which property is assessed and the tax lien attaches; ownership and value are determined as of this date.

Decline in Value

A temporary reduction under Proposition 8 when market value falls below the base year value; the assessment is reduced to market value until it recovers.

Supplemental Assessment

A bill for the difference between old and new base year values after a change in ownership or new construction, prorated from the change date to June 30.

Ad Valorem Tax

A tax levied according to value; California's general ad valorem property tax is limited to 1% of full cash value under Proposition 13.

Assessment Appeals Board

A county board that hears taxpayer applications to reduce assessments, conducts evidentiary hearings, and may confirm, reduce, or increase the assessed value.

Application Filing Period

The window to file an assessment appeal, generally July 2 through September 15 for the regular roll, with different deadlines for supplemental and escape assessments.

Burden of Proof

In an assessment appeal, the taxpayer must show by a preponderance of the evidence that the assessor's value is incorrect before the board will reduce it.

Claim for Refund

A written request to the county for return of taxes paid, generally filed within one year of payment or delinquency, and a prerequisite to a refund lawsuit.

Exhaustion of Remedies

The requirement that a taxpayer complete the administrative appeal process before seeking judicial review of an assessment in superior court.

Findings of Fact

A written statement of the appeals board's factual determinations and legal conclusions, issued upon request, that supports judicial review of the decision.

Beer Excise Tax Rate

California taxes beer at $6.20 per barrel of 31 gallons, paid by licensed manufacturers, wholesalers, and importers through periodic returns.

Alcoholic Beverage Tax

An excise tax on beer, wine, distilled spirits, and champagne imposed when sold or delivered in California, administered by the Board of Equalization.

ABC License

A permit issued by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control authorizing manufacture, sale, or distribution of alcoholic beverages; separate from tax registration.

Prepayment Discount

A 3% discount allowed to licensed taxpayers who prepay excise tax on alcoholic beverages in a timely manner under statutory conditions.

Export Exemption

Alcoholic beverages exported from California are exempt from excise tax; tax-paid product later exported may support a refund claim.

Distilled Spirits Stamps

Tax-paid stamps or metering applied to distilled spirits containers to evidence payment of excise tax, unlike beer and wine which use return reporting.

Gross Premiums Tax

California's 2.35% annual tax on insurers' gross premiums written for business in California, imposed in lieu of most state and local taxes.

Retaliatory Tax

A tax imposed on out-of-state insurers when their home state taxes California insurers more heavily, equalizing the burden at the higher rate.

Ocean Marine Tax

A 5% tax on underwriting profits from ocean marine insurance, imposed instead of the gross premiums tax that applies to other insurance lines.

Quarterly Prepayment

Insurers must make quarterly prepayments of estimated premium tax based on prior-year liability, with a final annual return filed by April 1.

Surplus Line Insurance

Insurance placed with non-admitted insurers for California risks; premiums are subject to premium tax even though the insurer is not licensed in California.

Title Insurance Tax

Title insurers pay the 2.35% gross premiums tax, subject to statutory deductions and credits such as those for qualified investments.

Revenue and Taxation Code

The primary California statute governing property, excise, and insurance taxation; the BOE implements it through regulations and administrative practice.

Title 18 Regulations

The California Code of Regulations division containing BOE property tax rules and procedures adopted under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Annotated Opinions

BOE legal rulings and annotations that explain how statutes and regulations apply to specific fact patterns and guide staff and taxpayers.

Taxpayers' Bill of Rights

A statutory framework, enforced in part by the Taxpayers' Rights Advocate, guaranteeing notice, appeal, and refund rights in tax administration.

Proposition 13

A 1978 constitutional amendment limiting ad valorem property tax to 1% of full cash value and capping annual base year value increases at 2%.

Proposition 26

A 2010 constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds legislative vote for state taxes and clarifying that certain regulatory fees are taxes.

Proposition 218

A 1996 constitutional amendment restricting local assessments, fees, and property-related charges and requiring voter approval for many local levies.

Legislative Counsel's Digest

A summary of a bill's purpose and effect prepared by the Legislative Counsel, used as a secondary source for understanding legislative intent.