San Francisco, like all of California, levies property taxes based primarily on the assessed value of real estate. This tax is a crucial source of revenue for local government services, including schools, police, fire departments, and infrastructure improvements.
How San Francisco Property Taxes are Calculated
The calculation of property taxes in San Francisco involves a few key components:
Assessed Property Value: This is the value of your property as determined by the San Francisco Assessor-Recorder's office. For properties acquired after 1978, the assessed value is generally the purchase price plus an annual inflation adjustment (limited by Proposition 13, typically not exceeding 2% per year). For properties owned prior to 1978, the base year value is used with similar adjustments.
General Tax Rate (Base Rate): The standard property tax rate in California is 1% of the assessed value. This rate covers basic city and county operations. San Francisco's general tax rate is generally set at 1.00%.
Additional Levies and Assessments: Beyond the general tax, properties may be subject to various special assessments, bonds, or local levies. These often fund specific local improvements like park maintenance, street lighting, or sewer systems. These are typically a fixed dollar amount per parcel or based on specific benefit assessments.
The Calculation Formula
The estimated annual property tax is calculated as follows:
Total Annual Property Tax = (Assessed Property Value * General Tax Rate) + Additional Levies/Assessments
Total Annual Property Tax = $12,000 + $650 = $12,650
This calculator provides an estimation. Actual tax bills may vary due to specific assessment details, newly enacted local measures, or changes in tax law. It's always recommended to refer to your official San Francisco property tax bill or consult the San Francisco Assessor-Recorder's office for precise figures.
Who Needs This Calculator?
This calculator is useful for:
Prospective homebuyers looking to estimate ongoing costs in San Francisco.
Current property owners seeking to understand their annual tax liability.
Real estate investors evaluating potential returns on investment properties.
Anyone interested in the financial aspects of property ownership in San Francisco.
function calculateSanFranciscoTaxes() {
var propertyValueInput = document.getElementById("propertyValue");
var taxRateInput = document.getElementById("taxRate");
var additionalLeviesInput = document.getElementById("additionalLevies");
var propertyValue = parseFloat(propertyValueInput.value);
var taxRate = parseFloat(taxRateInput.value);
var additionalLevies = parseFloat(additionalLeviesInput.value);
var totalTaxElement = document.getElementById("totalTax");
var detailsAssessedValueElement = document.getElementById("detailsAssessedValue");
var detailsGeneralTaxElement = document.getElementById("detailsGeneralTax");
var detailsAdditionalLeviesElement = document.getElementById("detailsAdditionalLevies");
var detailsTotalTaxElement = document.getElementById("detailsTotalTax");
// Clear previous results and error messages
totalTaxElement.innerText = "–";
detailsAssessedValueElement.innerText = "–";
detailsGeneralTaxElement.innerText = "–";
detailsAdditionalLeviesElement.innerText = "–";
detailsTotalTaxElement.innerText = "–";
// Input validation
if (isNaN(propertyValue) || propertyValue < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid non-negative number for Assessed Property Value.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(taxRate) || taxRate < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid non-negative number for San Francisco General Tax Rate.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(additionalLevies) || additionalLevies < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid non-negative number for Additional Levies/Assessments.");
return;
}
var generalTaxAmount = propertyValue * (taxRate / 100);
var totalTax = generalTaxAmount + additionalLevies;
// Format currency
var currencyFormatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
minimumFractionDigits: 0,
maximumFractionDigits: 0
});
totalTaxElement.innerText = currencyFormatter.format(totalTax);
detailsAssessedValueElement.innerText = currencyFormatter.format(propertyValue);
detailsGeneralTaxElement.innerText = currencyFormatter.format(generalTaxAmount);
detailsAdditionalLeviesElement.innerText = currencyFormatter.format(additionalLevies);
detailsTotalTaxElement.innerText = currencyFormatter.format(totalTax);
}