Riverside County
Riverside County Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption.
Rated 100% by the VA and buying or living in Riverside County? The County Assessor can take $180,671 off your home’s assessed value in 2026, or $271,009 if your household income qualifies. Here’s how to file in Riverside County, the documents the county asks for, and what to watch for in Temecula, Murrieta and Menifee.
Written by Luis, Military and VA Realtor serving North County San Diego
Updated October 2026
Riverside County at a Glance
Amounts come off assessed value. Source: California State Board of Equalization. Savings estimated at the 1% base rate, compared with the $7,000 homeowners’ exemption.
How to file hereThe Numbers
What It Saves in Riverside County
Every Riverside County tax bill starts with the 1% base rate, and voter-approved school and water bonds add a little on top. For 2025-26, school bonds add under 0.02% in Temecula Valley Unified, about 0.09% in Murrieta Valley Unified, and about 0.12% across Menifee Union and Perris Union High. At the 1% base alone, the basic exemption saves about $1,740 a year compared with the $7,000 homeowners’ exemption, and the low-income exemption saves roughly $900 more. Mello-Roos is the bigger swing here, and the exemption doesn’t touch it.
School bond rates from Riverside County’s 2025-26 tax rate resolution. Your tax bill shows your exact rate. Savings compare the 2026 basic exemption with the $7,000 homeowners’ exemption.
How to File
How to File in Riverside County
Riverside County uses the state form, BOE-261-G, and lists three things you need before you file.
Gather your documents
The completed BOE-261-G, a copy of your DD214, and your VA letter showing your disability rating and its effective date.
File with the County Assessor
Turn in the claim and copies of your documents to the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder. Keep your originals.
Book help if you want it
The Assessor’s office takes appointments online. Pick Assessment Administration as the service category.
Call with questions
Riverside County Assessor: (951) 955-6200 or toll free (800) 746-1544, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
Deadlines
When to File
California sets the clock, and it depends on how you qualify. The safest move is filing right after you close and move in.
You just bought
After a purchase, the county sends a supplemental tax notice. File within 30 days of that notice for the full exemption. If no notice comes, file by January 1 after you buy.
You already own and just got your 100% rating
File by January 1 of the next year, or within 90 days of your rating, whichever is later. The exemption starts from your rating’s effective date.
Late still pays
Miss those windows and you still get most of it, 90% or 85% depending on timing, and it can reach back up to eight years.
Low-income refiles every year
The low-income exemption needs a new claim each year: by February 15 for the full amount, or by December 10 for 90%. VA benefits count toward household income.
Your Tax Bill
Mello-Roos in Southwest Riverside County
A lot of newer neighborhoods in Temecula, Murrieta and Menifee carry Mello-Roos and other special taxes, and the exemption doesn’t lower those. It only lowers the taxes based on your home’s assessed value. When you’re comparing homes, I pull the special taxes on each one so you see the real bill.
If your lender pays your taxes through escrow, call them once the exemption shows up on your tax bill so they can recalculate. That’s when your monthly payment drops.
Not rated 100%? File the $7,000 homeowners’ exemption instead. If your rating goes to 100% later, you file for the disabled veterans’ exemption then.
Questions
Riverside County Questions, Answered
The questions veterans ask me most about filing in Riverside County. If yours isn’t on the list, call or text me.
Ask Me a QuestionHow do I apply for the disabled veterans’ exemption in Riverside County?
File form BOE-261-G with the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder, along with a copy of your DD214 and your VA letter showing your rating and its effective date. Questions go to (951) 955-6200 or (800) 746-1544.
Why does the Riverside County page show a lower amount?
The county page still lists an older figure. The State Board of Equalization sets the amount every year, and for 2026 it’s $180,671 basic and $271,009 low-income.
When should I file after buying in Temecula, Murrieta or Menifee?
Right after you close and move in. Once the supplemental tax notice arrives, you have 30 days to file for the full exemption.
Does the exemption lower my Mello-Roos?
No. It lowers the taxes based on your home’s assessed value. Mello-Roos, other special taxes and fixed charges stay the same.
Can I get the exemption for past years?
Yes. A late claim still gets 85% of the exemption, and it can reach back up to eight years.
Do I need my DD214 in Riverside County?
Yes. Riverside County asks for a copy of your DD214 along with the VA letter showing your rating and its effective date.
Buying in Riverside County?
I’ve closed deals in Temecula, Murrieta and Menifee. Tell me where you’re looking, and I’ll show you what the exemption and the special taxes look like on that home. If your area isn’t listed, call me anyway.
Prefer to call? (619) 485-8293
