Why are seniors exempted from the proposed parcel tax? Isn that unfair?
Two exemptions to parcel taxes are permissible under current California state law: an exemption for seniors aged 65 and older and for those of any age receiving supplemental security income for disability. In both cases, the exemption applies to an owner’s primary, single family residence. Some people observe that the senior exemption is not based on the ability of a person to pay the tax, and is therefore unfair. Regardless of the perceived fairness of this exemption, it is lawful, and Alameda’s current school parcel tax also includes such an exemption for seniors, many of whom are on moderate, fixed incomes. State law does not permit us a more targeted means of protecting low-income and fixed-income households. Alameda’s current school parcel tax passed by a very slim margin in 2005. By including a senior exemption in the proposed parcel tax measure, we are recognizing that Alameda’s seniors continue to make up a significant portion of the voting demographic. It would be unwise to pu
