During the chaotic year of 2019, amidst the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, California's Proposition 19 was introduced during a time when many were preoccupied with the global health crisis, it told a story making it overlooked as a savior of fire victims and those over 55 years old who wanted to relocate or were forced to and still keep their primary home taxes lower than the current re-assessment values, what was hidden in the proposition is now cutting through family inheritances and legacies like a sharp instrument. Proposition 19, a measure that many were unaware of due to the overwhelming distractions of the time, introduced during the pandemic, brought with it what is known as the 'Death Tax'. I myself, as well as thousands of family’s now living through and realizing the repercussions and criminal actions of this proposal which came into effect in 2021 are begging and asking everyone who votes to help reverse and amend proposition 19 as it deeply affects anyone being left real estate now or in the future.  Countless families are now forced by County Assessors to pay up to 5X more property taxes than the loved one who had given to them.  This reassessment of inherited properties at the present astronomical market values is criminal and leaves little choice coupled along with rental increase rate caps of 10% annually for the one who inherits or even had jointly owned with a parent or grandparent to afford to keep the inherited real estate property.

This reassessment occurs upon the death of just one of the joint owners or the original owner's complete passing, disregarding the intent of properties to remain in families, maintained and cherished as homes, not as investments or expendable assets and abolishing generational family wealth at the real estate level.  It becomes a ‘Property Tax Bomb’.

Imagine a family home, lovingly cared for across generations, only to face a taxation that renders it unaffordable to retain.  In these cases, grieving families often find themselves with no other choice but to sell properties that have been in their families for decades. At the exact time they are experiencing great grief.  Families are torn between keeping their legacy or facing potential financial ruin.

Despite the urgent implications of Proposition 19, the conditions under which it was introduced were hardly conducive for an informed public vote. COVID-19, akin in namesake and timing, overshadowed reasoned debate and public discourse. Many did not grasp the full impact of this proposition until it was too late when passed in 2021.

We believe that a fair system can be achieved. Property taxes in itself should be illegal as those who own real property or real estate already pay taxes when purchased, when sold and to pay yearly for property which you already own is idiotic.  However that is exactly what the county does, they assess your property taxes on the value of the entire property such as the structures upon the ‘leased land’.  No one actually owns land which they purchase, you own the structures outright that you decide to place upon the land, however land itself has a ‘lifetime leasehold’ which means you pay taxes to keep it yearly and pass it on to generations of loved ones, of which in turn continue to pay an annual taxes to continue to keep their lifetime leasehold or rights to the land for as long as they choose to continue to pay taxes.  It’s called a note or title.  It makes no sense either way that land taxes would be assessed upon the value of the structure which you already own and paid sales tax for, however that’s another petition.

By amending Proposition 19, we propose extending the reassessment exclusion, allowing more properties inherited by direct descendants to retain their previous tax base. Such a change would effectively shield families from a new reality of unexpected tax burdens which never end and keep family homes within affordable reach.

Our goal is to balance fair taxation with the need for families to maintain their cherished homes. To achieve this, we need your support to urge California’s lawmakers to revisit and amend Proposition 19, preventing the devastating effect of the Inheritance Tax Bomb from becoming the new norm. Preserve family legacies and prevent undue financial hardships by signing this petition today.