By Paul Dictos and Tom J. Bordonaro Jr.
In November 2020, California’s Constitution was changed with the narrow passage of Proposition 19 — quietly bringing back the death tax for the first time in 35 years.
While Prop. 19 contained some positive elements, a little noticed aspect of the initiative changed the law regarding parent-to-child and grandparent to grandchild transfers of property. In the event of the death of a parent, the result can be a huge, unexpected tax bill while a family mourns the loss of a loved one.
As county assessors, our job is to determine the value of taxable property. In doing so, we are governed by the California Constitution, the laws passed by the Legislature and the rules adopted by the State Board of Equalization.
Click here to read the article in the Fresno Bee.
