The Southland Firestorm: A Special Report : The Recovery : TAXES : Fire-Damaged Homes Will Be Reassessed

Property owners whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the fires will have their tax assessment adjusted automatically if the property was listed as damaged by police or fire officials, according to Sid Delgado, Los Angeles County’s assistant tax assessor.

But owners should consider filing a claim form, available through the assessor’s office or at the Malibu disaster center, as a backup, Delgado said. The disaster center opens at 9 a.m. today, at the Malibu sheriff’s substation, 23535 Civic Center Way.

Property owners are eligible for tax adjustments if they suffered at least $5,000 in damage.

Owners of damaged or destroyed homes can also file an application to delay their Dec. 10 tax payment until early next year, Delgado said.

Delgado added that rebuilt homes will be assessed at the original value before the property was damaged, and not valued as new. For further information, call the assessor’s office, (213) 974-3211.