Tag Archives: Inheriting a home from a parent

Does a Change in Ownership Affect CA Property Taxes?

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California Change in Property Ownership

California Change in Property Ownership

Californians who make it their business to know – now understand that triggering property tax reassessment to “a new Base Year Value” as a result of new construction to a home, or a complete change in ownership – which makes it virtually impossible to establish  a low property tax base; and results in a yearly tax rate that increases abruptly to  current or “fair market” rates.

Translation in everyday language – you pay much higher property taxes every year. For example, the different between $600 per year and $9,000 per year. Significantly higher property taxes.

Every County Tax Assessor in California, in all fifty-eight counties, records and reviews every single property deed in every county, to figure out which homes and various other real properties require reappraisal, and which do not. The Tax Assessors also determine ownership changes with other investigative tools such as such as kept records from homeowner self-reporting, or from records of building permits; from newspaper files; or field inspections.

When a County Tax Assessor has determined that a property has changed ownership, Proposition 13 stipulates that the County Tax Assessor must reassess that property to its current (i.e., fair market) tax rate, as per the date of change of ownership.

Because property taxes in California are based on a property’s assessed value – at the time of acquisition – the property taxes will be increased if the current market rate is higher than the original assessed Prop 13 base year value adjustment. Therefore – if the current market tax rate is lesser than the previous adjusted base year value assessment, then taxes on that property will go down. Which is what everyone wants.

It is important to note, however, that a portion of ownership of that property may be reappraised. Let’s say that 50% of a home is transferred under Proposition 13, and the changes that the Tax Assessor is going to reassess is 50% of the home at the current market rate, as per the transfer date, so 50% will be deducted from the base year value, under Proposition 13 property tax relief… 

Typically, when someone buys a home, the home goes through a “change in ownership” and 100% of the home is reassessed at full current market value.   Even if the outcome of transferring real estate is a change in ownership, there are a number of exclusions from paying current tax rates – and so certain homes or other real estate will often not be be reappraised under these sorts of home transfers.

If a property owner files the proper claim, an exclusion from paying updated current property taxes will kick in as long the owner’s property, or portions of this property, are correctly excluded from reassessment.

The best way to cover changes in ownership that are excluded from automatic reassessment, or reassessment by claim; is to enlist the help of a tax attorney, a property tax consultant, or a trust lender who specializes in establishing a low property tax base for heirs upon inheriting a home from a parent.

Frequently, this will assist beneficiaries in buying out inherited property shares from co-beneficiaries through a loan to an irrevocable trust, which realtors and property tax specialists call a transfer of property between siblings or a sibling-to-sibling property transfer – working in conjunction with a California Proposition 19  parent to child property tax transfer on an inherited home – a parent-to-child exclusion (from property tax reassessment at full, current market rates), to establish a low property tax base.  

Naturally, this line of property tax relief, based on a parent’s property  also includes the ability to transfer property taxes when inheriting property taxes from a parent. Under these tax breaks, a property tax transfer like this can help heirs keep parents’ property taxes basically forever, based on a parent-child transfer; or a parent to child exclusion from reassessment – to legally avoid property tax reassessment.

You can always consult your Tax Assessor, however it is generally in the Tax Assessor’s best interest to charge you the maximum amount possible. A property tax consultant or trust lender, on the other hand, is motivated to save you money on taxes, not see you spend more.

PART TWO: What is a trust?

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What is a trust?

What is a trust?

Irrevocable Versus Revocable Trusts

It is important to make note of the fact that an “irrevocable trust” is inherited as a document left by a “grantor” once that person is  deceased, and cannot be altered; plus it may not be considered part of a taxable estate, therefore fewer taxes may be due on your passing. 

Whereas a “revocable trust”, also known as a “living trust”, can be a much more flexible inheritance instrument — and most importantly, the grantor who wrote the trust document can maintain control while still alive.  It is also worth mentioning, due to the problems many beneficiaries have with trustee, that it is critical to choose a trustee who will know his or her place, and not adopt an attitude that the money and assets belong to the trustee.

Another use for irrevocable trusts – in terms of beneficiaries getting trust loans that work hand-in-hand with Proposition 19, is a parent to child property tax transfer managed by a trust lender –  making sure that  the trust lender stays on top of the process, and  ensures that keeping a parent’s low property tax base  becomes a reality.

Moreover, the trust lender can help you, as a  beneficiary inheriting a parental home, buyout a sibling or several co-beneficiaries looking to sell their inherited property shares – with a sibling-to-sibling property transfer; at a much higher price range than any outside buyer would offer – due to the avoidance of a realtor, who would typically charge a 6% commission – plus other pricey  closing costs such as legal fees, paperwork processing fees; transfer taxes, escrow expenses, notary fees; as well as fees for credit checking, value appraisal, title search, home inspection, etc.

When it comes to selling a home, there is, as they say, “no free lunch”. Meanwhile, beneficiaries keeping a family home at their parents’ low property tax base, through an irrevocable trust loan in conjunction with Proposition 19 (formerly Proposition 58), is able to keep that inherited home in the family basically forever at the parents’ low  property tax base, thanks to tax relief still protected by Proposition 13. 

To be clear, an irrevocable trust typically transfers assets out of an estate and potentially out of the grasp of estate taxes and probate, but it can’t be altered by the grantor after it has been executed. So once you establish this sort of trust you lose control over the assets and cannot change any of the terms, or dissolve the trust. However, if you’re gaining the financial advantage of a parents’ low property tax base going forward – it’s generally worth the trade off.

A “revocable trust” can help assets pass outside of an estate in probate, and allows you to keep control of the assets, as long as you are alive. A revocable trust is flexible, and can be dissolved whenever you wish. A revocable trust generally becomes irrevocable when the grantor or trustor (i.e., the person who placed the assets into trust for his or her beneficiaries) passes away.

Trust Assets and Inheritance Distribution

An irrevocable trust is generally preferred over a revocable trust if your objective is to reduce the amount of estate taxes by removing inheritance trust assets from your estate. When the assets are transferred into a trust, you are of the tax liability on the income generated by the trust assets are relieved.  Even though inheritance distributions will most likely result in income taxes. However, this type of trust will also provide protection against a legal judgment, should that occur.

Assets in a trust may also be able to distribute to heirs outside of probate, saving time, court fees, and potentially reducing estate taxes as well. Other benefits of a trust include managing your money. You can set the terms of the trust to control when and who assets will be distributed to.

You can set up a revocable trust so the trust assets stay accessible during your life while deciding who remaining assets will pass to, regardless of family complications. Parents often set the terms of trust distribution to protect the money in a trust by holding off on final distribution until the beneficiary is sufficiently mature to handle inherited money wisely, such as distribution at age 30, and again at 40, or whatever.

Final Trust Distribution

Some trusts do not reach final distribution until a beneficiary, who may be considered to be a spendthrift, reaches his or her 60th birthday — imagine waiting that long! This type of trust can also protect an estate from creditors coming after heirs who unwisely get deep into debt. Most importantly for some, a trust can allow assets to transfer to beneficiaries outside of probate and thus remain private, along with lessening money spent on probate court fees and taxes.

However, attorneys bent on convincing a family to leave inheritance assets in trust and ignore probate when they pass on may fail to mention fees associated with a trustee, who typically remains with a trust for the life of that trust, as well as subsequent attorney fees, bank fees, and other nominal costs that add up.

Proposition 13 and Proposition 19 in CA 2021 ~ Q & A

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Property Tax Information

Inheriting A Home From A Parent in a Trust or Probate

In June of 2021, we looked into the well known California estate law firm Cunningham Legal, who specializes in Estate Planning, Trust Administration, Asset Protection and Advanced Tax Planning — to see how they interpret and answer questions regarding property tax relief benefits in California in 2021, in a Q & A format. 

As the firm points out, were it not for Proposition 13, and now Proposition 19, in terms of protecting your property from reassessment, all properties in California would be immediately reassessed at full current market value when a change of ownership occurs either by death, gift, or sale.  When a property is “transferred,” or what the California State Board of Equalization calls a “change in ownership.” Which is why the parent-to-child exclusion is so crucial, with respect to protecting your property from reassessment.

Question: How does Proposition 13 affect the amount of property taxes California property owners have to pay every year?

Answer: Proposition 13, an amendment to the California Constitution which passed overwhelmingly in 1978, rolled back residential property taxes on a principal residence to 1975 levels, capping them at 1% of assessed value (plus some local additions by county). Assessments were allowed to rise at a maximum of 2% a year — even though real estate prices in California continued to skyrocket.

Question: How can heirs inheriting property from a parent still claim a limited exclusion from reassessments under Proposition 19?

Answer: If you don’t take pre-emptive action, such as establishing a Family Property LLC, then whether you give your child a home or they inherit it you must apply Proposition 19 rules and regulations to a principal residence, unless it is a farm.

Question: What Prop 19 regulations are now in effect for new homeowners inheriting a home from a parent?

Answer: The child of a parent leaving property must move into a transferred or inherited home (or family farm) as their principal residence within one year. Assuming the child does occupy the home — if the value is less than the factored base year value plus one million dollars (indexed for inflation), the base year value will not change.

Question: Who can take advantage of a limited exclusion from property reassessment under Proposition 19 inherited property transfers, moving a low property tax base over to a new home?

Answer: If you’re over 55, protecting your property from reassessment has actually gotten easier… You can now do this three times during their life instead of just once. Other eligible people include those with severe disabilities as well as victims of natural disasters and wildfires.

Question: What happens with multiple children under Prop 19? Must all the children move into the home as their principal residence?

Answer: This still remains to be seen…The California courts are still determining how a lot of details will be handled under Prop 19.

Question: Do you have to occupy an inherited house forever? How long must you live there as your principal residence before a reassessment is triggered?

Answer: Again, we don’t yet know, and further guidance is needed from the CA Legislature.

Question: Does this mean that all properties, principal residences or otherwise, are subject to possible reassessment when ownership is transferred by inheritance or otherwise, so the math can be done on new property taxes?

Answer: Probably yes. This will greatly increase the workload on assessment offices, and possibly create a significant backlog in cases.

This is why law firms such as Cunningham Legal are not simply waiting for answers from the California Courts and the Legislature. Estate law firms like this are proactively building programs to aid in  protecting your property from reassessment — such as their Family Property LLC to help middle class families save on property taxes. Lawyers like Rachelle Lee-Warner, Esq., Partner at Cunningham Legal, are always closely watching legal and legislative opinions to devise the best possible outcomes for their clients.

According to Cunningham Legal, these days even regular middle class families in California need an attorney to guide them regarding inherited property, to make sure Proposition 19 and Proposition 13 are being taken advantage of correctly; to avoid common errors.  The firm stresses the avoidance of common mistakes with grave consequences…

Question: What are some examples of mistakes people make with Prop 13 when it comes to the title of inherited property?

Answer: If you change the title of a house, you are possibly triggering property tax reassessment.

Question: What is a big mistake people make when they leave property in a Living Trust?

Answer: You name multiple beneficiaries in a Living Trust, which includes your house. Some of the beneficiaries are your children and some are not. As a result, the possibility of your children avoiding a reassessment may be lost.

Question:  Are forms a potential area for mistakes?

Answer: Certainly.  For example, you move your industrial property into an LLC so you can protect yourself while renting it out, accidentally triggering a reassessment because you didn’t file the right form on time.  This is precisely why a good attorney is so important, to protect your properties from reassessment.

Question: What paperwork mistake can parents make with respect to leaving property to their children?

Answer: They do not consider creating a Family Property LLC to protect your properties from reassessment when you die.

Question: What else would be a common paperwork error?

Answer: Your heirs simply don’t know they have to file a claim for reassessment exclusion under Proposition 13 within three years, or they may lose it.

Question: What is another common mistake many beneficiaries  make after inheriting a home from a parent?

Answer: Many beneficiaries do not realize that under Prop 19 they must reside in your primary home to claim an exclusion after your death, never establishing clear residency.

Question: Are there other frequent mistakes people make after inheriting property, with a home transferring from parent to child?

Answer: A transfer occurs without proper registration with the state—and 20 years later, the new owner owes 20 years of “supplemental” back taxes at an enormously higher rate. 

Question: What is a common error often made by parents leaving property to children?

Answer: People think that they are passing on a “principal residence” but they haven’t lived there for years, and the state objects.

Question: What about avoiding fair market rates on the transfer of a residential multi-unit property?

Answer: People think they can pass on the parent-to-child exclusion for a multi-unit property, but they only occupy part of it, and the state objects. There are no simple solutions. That’s why folks involved in any of these issues require legal support.  They need a good lawyer!

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Families and individual property owners can set an appointment for Estate Planning, Trust Administration, Asset Protection, or Advanced Tax Planning by calling their office at 1-866-988-3956. You can also contact Rachelle Lee-Warner, Esq., Partner at Cunningham Legal; Office: (805) 342-0970 Web: http://www.cunninghamlegal.com

 

New Rules For Property Tax Transfers In California

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Rules for California Property Tax Transfer

The new rules for California Property Tax Transfer in 2021

To Transfer Property Taxes: New Rules & Regulations 

When Proposition 19 was voted into law in Nov 2020, taking affect in Feb of 2021 – a learning curve was suddenly in effect for new homeowners and beneficiaries inheriting property from parents. It became essential, especially for middle class and upper middle class families, to quickly learn about changes to tax relief laws that would impact both existing trusts and inherited real estate.

For example, a “qualified personal residence trust” (QPRT), which is a trust that is established with the intent of allowing parents to continue to live in a house; and once that period of time has ended the balance of the interest is transferred to beneficiaries.

Put simply, a QPRT is a special kind of irrevocable trust that allows the person who created it to remove a primary residence from his, or her, estate so gift taxes can be reduced when transferring assets to a beneficiary.

Buying Out Sibling Property Shares While Keeping Your Inherited Home at a Low Proposition 13 Tax Base

As many Californians know, a loan to an irrevocable trust can also be used to buyout siblings’ property shares, inherited from a parent… while allowing beneficiaries who wish to retain that property, to transfer property taxes and keep that home at their parents’ low Proposition 13 protected tax base. It’s essentially a home equity loan on inherited property, made to the trust.

What a lot of people don’t know is the fact that the trustee and beneficiaries who are intent on keeping their inherited property will frequently borrow money to have their trust funded by a qualified trust lender licensed in the state of California so that an equal distribution of the trust can be made in order to meet California Proposition 19 Board of Equalization requirements.

Typically, beneficiaries enlist funding from a trust lender when a trust does not have sufficient cash to make an equal distribution to all the beneficiaries who are looking to sell their inherited property. Hence, the ability to transfer property taxes, mainly to transfer parents’ property taxes; and avoid property tax reassessment of an inherited home. Usually a savings of over $6,200 per year in property taxes. 

Avoiding ‘Fair Market Rates’ with Proposition 19 Trust Loan Exclusion from Property Reassessment

Changes to California property tax relief in 2021 are a challenge to  understand.  Trusts, Californians have discovered, are now used for more purposes than merely deferring property taxes for a few months. Californians have also discovered that they can avoid being reassessed at fair market rates by moving into inherited property as their principle residence  – bearing in mind a $1,000,000 cap on an exclusion from existing property tax rates.

The benefits of making a lifetime transfer of inherited property has to be compared to a transfer at the passing of a parent, which may cause you, as an heir, to inherit a “stepped-up basis” in transferred property. In other words, when you inherit assets that increased in value from when your deceased parent owned it, the asset’s “basis” is increased to the property’s current or “fair market” value on the date of the parent’s passing.  Unless you take steps to avoid this increase, to be able to transfer property taxes successfully, and avoid property tax reassessment altogether!

Saving Money on Property Taxes With Help From Experts!

When purchasing a new home or inheriting your parents’ residence
it makes sense to call a specialist experienced in the use of irrevocable trust loans to maintain your parent’s low property tax base. If you are inheriting a home, or expect to inherit a home and plan to transfer the low property tax base to a new home down the road, through an irrevocable trust loan in conjunction with Proposition 19, or Prop 58.

If you’re inheriting a home from a parent and wish to avoid property tax reassessment you still have all the tools to do so, as long as all new requirements are met.  If you’re a beneficiary, a brand new homeowners, you can  transfer parents property taxes when inheriting property and thus inheriting property taxes; with the ability  to keep parents low property tax base, as long as you live in your inherited home. 

“When it comes to keeping a low property tax base, with Prop 58 [or now Prop 19] and a trust loan, I always bring my clients to Commercial Loan Corp.  Their loans to trusts give my clients several invaluable benefits. Their terms can be a lot more flexible than an institutional lender like Wells Fargo or Bank of America.  They’re self funded, and that’s why they can extend easier terms to clients…

When your parents die, and your trust agreement says ‘equal shares’  –  That means equal shares!  People basically just get the overall concept of getting money from a trust loan even if it doesn’t sell. It makes more sense all around to get a trust loan; and everyone gets more money.“

Regarding the ever-present issue concerning families deciding to either sell inherited property; Or opting to keep property inherited from their parents – 

“More heirs and beneficiaries end up not wanting to sell their inherited property. And  if they did want to sell, a lot of people can be easily convinced, with more cash from a trust loan and trust lender than an outside buyer would come up with, ‘equalizing’ things for them…

You have to look at it this way: there are always  one or two, minimum, who  insist on selling their shares in an inherited property. And there is our initial client contact, with those who want to sell.  And that is where these family estate or trust conflicts begin.  If they sell their property, capital gains tax always hits them. That’s where a trust loan comes in, to avoid that.

A trust lender like Commercial Loan Corp, that doesn’t charge any fees up-front, that’s another great benefit.  Plus, they don’t charge interest on their trust loan in advance. Not only that, there is never a “due-on-sale” clause… that requires the mortgage to be repaid in full when sold; or that all or some of the interest owed must be paid up-front to secure the mortgage. No “alienation clause”… in the event of a property transfer, stating the borrower has to pay back the mortgage in full before the borrower can transfer the property to anyone. 

Going with a firm like that – all costs are offset, unless you plan to keep a property for 2, 3 years or less. Then it doesn’t make sense. But generally you’re looking at keeping that property for seven or more years, as a rule...”

To learn more about your options when inheriting a home from parents – transferring a low property tax base to your new primary residence – contact Commercial Loan Corp, at (877) 756-4454 to speak with a Trust Loan or Property Tax Savings specialist. Chances are the end result will be a much lower property tax bill.

For more information on California Property Tax News, visit the PropertyTaxNews.org website for all of the latest information and updates.