Palo Alto property tax: where it goes
A Palo Alto house pays 1.201% of its taxable value in property tax, plus flat charges on the same bill. For a house at $2,000,001 of market value with the homeowners' exemption, that's about $24,991 a year.
Tax is levied on assessed value, less exemptions such as the homeowners' exemption.
Santa Clara County publishes its tax rate book each fall; the 2026-27 book was not yet posted on October 22, 2026, so the rates are from the 2025-26 book.
Who taxes this house
| Taxing agency | Rate | On $2,000,001 |
|---|---|---|
| Countywide 1% general levy (Prop 13) | 1% | $19,930 |
| County retirement levy | 0.0388% | $773 |
| County hospital (VMC) bond 2008 | 0.0052% | $104 |
| County housing bond 2016 | 0.0056% | $112 |
| Palo Alto Unified School District bonds (schools) | 0.1079% | $2,150 |
| City of Palo Alto bond 2008 | 0.0074% | $148 |
| Foothill-De Anza Community College District bonds (schools) | 0.0311% | $620 |
| Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District bond | 0.0014% | $28 |
| Valley Water State Water Project | 0.0039% | $78 |
| Palo Alto Unified School District parcel tax (Measure O; about $923 for 2026-27, our estimate from $836 in 2021-22 with a 2% yearly adjustment) | flat | $923 |
| Valley Water Safe, Clean Water special tax (maximum rate, as recommended for adoption) | flat | $82 |
| Mosquito & vector control assessments (1996, 2005, 2026) | flat | $31 |
| SF Bay Restoration Authority Measure AA | flat | $12 |
| Total | 1.201% | $24,991 |
2025-26 tax year, Santa Clara County (tax rate area 006-001); flat charges 2026-27. Exemptions applied: Homeowners' exemption ($7,000).
Ways to pay less
- Homeowners: file the $7,000 homeowners' exemption. If you own and occupy your home as your principal place of residence, you may be eligible for an exemption of up to $7,000 off the dwelling's assessed value, resulting in a property tax savings of approximately $70 to $80 annually. How: File a claim with the Santa Clara County Assessor.
- Low-income seniors (born before June 30, 1962): Valley Water tax exemption. Owners born before June 30, 1962 who own and live in the home, with 2025 total household income below $75,112, can be exempt from Valley Water's Safe, Clean Water special tax, a saving of approximately $80. Homes in an irrevocable trust and mobile homes in parks are not eligible. The 2026 application period was April 15 to June 30, 2026. How: See valleywater.org/senior-parcel-tax-exemption; the 2026 application period was April 15 to June 30, 2026.
Dates
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Dec 10 (in 49 days) | Last day to pay the first installment of secured property taxes without penalties. |
| Feb 15 | Deadline to file the homeowners' exemption for the full exemption (filed by Dec 10 after that, 80% of it). |
| Apr 10 | Last day to pay the second installment of secured property taxes without penalties. |
| Jul 2 – Sep 15 | Window to file an assessment appeal with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. |
Pay or manage it
Sources
- Santa Clara County Tax Rate Book 2025-26
- PAUSD parcel tax and exemption
- County Assessor: homeowners' exemption
- Santa Clara County Tax Rate Book 2025-26
- https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/homeowners_exemption.htm
- Valley Water FY 2026-27 Safe, Clean Water special tax resolution
- Valley Water FY 2026-27 special tax staff report
- Valley Water: low-income senior exemption (2026)
- Mosquito and Vector Control District 2026 assessment engineer's report
- SF Bay Restoration Authority: Measure AA parcel tax
- County Tax Collector: secured property tax due dates
- County Assessor: assessment appeals
Checked October 22, 2026. Every number here comes from the public sources listed, matched by our checker.
Rates change every year; this page shows when it was last checked. Nothing here is legal, tax or insurance advice.