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1. What does a Tax Rate consist of?

In California, Proposition 13 was passed in 1978. It limits the property tax rate to 1% of assessed value, plus any additional ad valorem (based on value) tax rate necessary to fund local voter-approved general obligation bonds and other indebtedness. Therefore, any tax rate you see on your tax bill in addition to the 1% represents a debt or debts approved by the voters.

Prior to Proposition 13, tax rates set to cover an entity’s general obligation bonds and other indebtedness could be passed by a majority vote. Proposition 13 changed this by requiring a two-thirds vote. In the November 2000 election, voters approved Proposition 39 allowing the voting threshold for school general obligation bonds to be lowered to 55%, if the school board so chooses.

2. I thought a tax bill couldn’t exceed 1% of the assessed value. Why does my bill exceed 1%?

In California, Proposition 13 was passed in 1978. It limits the property tax rate to 1% of assessed value, plus any additional ad valorem (based on value) tax rate necessary to fund local voter-approved general obligation bonds and other indebtedness. Therefore, any tax rate you see on your tax bill in addition to the 1% represents a debt or debts approved by the voters. In addition, direct charges (non ad-valorem items) may be placed on the tax bill at the express written direction of various local taxing entities.

3. How is the general obligation bond rate calculated?

The tax rates for voter approved debt are computed yearly. Several components are used to make this calculation. Generally, the two primary factors are the amount of money needed for the annual repayment to the bondholders and the assessed value in the district for the tax year. In addition, other components are used, such as the prior year balance and revenue from other sources.

4. When does the general obligation bond mature?

Please see the Maturity Dates for Voter Approved General Obligation Bonds (PDF).

5. If I’m over 65 or do not have any children, why do I still have to pay the voter-approved general obligation school bonds?

Tax rates for local voter approved general obligation school bonds are levied on all properties within the school district boundaries pursuant to the California State Constitution.

6. My children don’t go to the school listed on my tax bill. Why are these charges on my bill?

The property tax/tax rate area structure provides information as to what school district (not individual school) your property is in. It does not determine the specific school that your children would attend. That information and the intra-district boundaries are maintained by the school system. Please contact the school district or the Placer County Office of Education to confirm the appropriate school for your children.

7. I live in another county, so why do I have to call Placer County with questions about my tax bill?

Some school districts are located in more than one county. The “primary” county (County of Control) is the one responsible for calculating the tax rate to be levied throughout the school district’s boundaries. Since that primary county has the specifics about the calculation, it is necessary to contact them. For example, the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD) is in El Dorado, Nevada and Placer counties. Placer is the County of Control, so our phone number appears as the contact number for TTUSD tax rate data.