California homeowners have been hearing a lot about "Prop 43" and "Save Prop 13" lately. With so much conflicting information, it's easy to feel confused about what this ballot measure actually does. Here's the bottom line: Proposition 43 does not change your current property tax bill, your assessment, or Proposition 13's protections.
In this guide, we'll explain:
What Prop 43 actually is
Whether it affects your bill
The key differences between Prop 43 and Prop 13
What you can do right now to lower your California property taxes
Key Takeaways
Proposition 43 is on California's November 3, 2026 ballot; it is not current law.
If approved by voters, beginning January 1, 2027, it would require a two-thirds vote to approve local special taxes proposed by citizen initiative.
It does not change Proposition 13, your assessment, or your current property tax bill.
It applies only to future measures and does not repeal existing taxes.
The fastest way to lower your bill today is still an assessment appeal or a missed exemption.
What Is California Proposition 43?
Proposition 43 is a California constitutional amendment on the November 3, 2026 ballot that, if approved by voters, would require two-thirds voter approval for local special taxes proposed through the citizen-initiative process, beginning January 1, 2027.
According to the Legislative Analyst's Office, new, increased, or extended local special taxes proposed by initiative would require a two-thirds vote if the measure passes.
The measure began as Assembly Constitutional Amendment 22 (ACA 22), authored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks. The Legislature placed it on the November 2026 ballot on June 25, 2026, by votes of 68-2 in the Assembly and 35-1 in the Senate.
This came after a compromise in which the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (HJTA) withdrew a broader initiative. A "yes" vote would establish the two-thirds rule for future local special-tax initiatives starting in 2027. A "no" vote would keep current law, under which such initiatives can generally pass by simple majority.
At Ownwell, we want to make one thing clear: Prop 43 is not law today. Every reference to what it "does" should be understood as conditional, pending voter approval in November.
Does Prop 43 Change My Property Tax Bill?
No. Proposition 43 does not raise or lower your current property tax bill.
It does not change Proposition 13's 1% base rate cap. It does not change the 2% annual limit on assessment increases. And it applies only to future local special taxes, not taxes already in effect.
What could it affect over time? Whether future local special taxes, which can appear as line items on your bill, are harder to pass. That's an indirect, future effect. It's not a change to your assessment today.
In our 2025 National Homeowner Survey, 80% of California homeowners said they worry about significant increases to their annual property tax bills. That concern is real. But this measure isn't the lever that changes yours.
Your assessment is what drives your bill, and Prop 43 doesn't touch it. To understand how California property taxes work, including the assessment process, start there.
Own commercial or investment property in California? The same local special-tax rules apply to you, and we handle those appeals too.
Prop 43 vs. Prop 13: What's the Difference?
Despite the "Save Prop 13" branding you may have seen, Prop 43 and Prop 13 are not the same. They govern different things, passed in different decades, and have different statuses today.
Attribute | Proposition 13 (1978) | Proposition 43 (2026 Ballot) |
|---|---|---|
What it governs | How your home is assessed; caps the base tax rate at 1% and limits annual assessment increases to 2% | Vote threshold for future local special taxes proposed by citizen initiative |
Effect on your assessment | Directly limits your assessed value growth | None; does not change assessments |
Status | Enacted (current law since 1978) | On ballot, November 3, 2026 (not current law) |
Effective date | 1978 | January 1, 2027, if approved by voters |
Who it affects | All California property owners | Future local ballot measures only |
According to a nonpartisan analysis of Proposition 43 from the California Budget & Policy Center, Proposition 43 would require at least two-thirds of local voters to approve any local initiative that would create, extend, or increase a special tax, starting January 1, 2027.
The assessment mechanics that actually drive your bill are governed by Proposition 13, not Proposition 43, as covered in the section above.
Special Taxes, General Taxes, and the Two-Thirds Rule
To understand what Prop 43 targets, you need to know a few key terms:
Special tax: A tax dedicated to a specific purpose, such as parks, transit, or fire protection. These appear as line items on your property tax bill.
General tax: A tax for general government use. Prop 43 does not expressly change general-tax approval rules.
Parcel tax: A common type of flat, per-parcel special tax levied on property. Many school districts use parcel taxes.
Supermajority / two-thirds vote: The higher approval bar Prop 43 would extend to citizen-initiated special taxes, matching the threshold already applied to council-proposed special taxes.
Currently, council-proposed special taxes require a two-thirds vote. Citizen-initiated special taxes can generally pass by simple majority under the so-called "Upland loophole." If approved by voters, Prop 43 would close that gap beginning January 1, 2027.
What You Can Actually Do to Lower Your California Property Tax Bill Now
While Prop 43 won't change your current tax bill, there are four concrete steps you can take today to pay less:
Appeal your assessment. You can challenge the county assessor's valuation with your county Assessment Appeals Board. The regular filing period opens July 2 and closes on either September 15 or November 30, depending on your county. Always confirm your exact deadline with your county Assessment Appeals Board. Our guide on how to file a property tax appeal walks you through the process.
Claim the Homeowners' Exemption. This exemption reduces your assessed value by $7,000 for an owner-occupied primary residence. That translates to roughly $70-$84 in annual savings at typical California rates. File by February 15 to receive the full exemption for the tax year.
Use a Proposition 8 decline-in-value review. If your home's market value on January 1 fell below your factored base-year value, you may qualify for a temporary reduction. California assesses at the lower of your factored base-year value or current market value.
Check Proposition 19 base-year-value transfers. If you're 55 or older, severely disabled, or a disaster victim, you may be able to transfer your existing property's base-year value to a new home anywhere in California.
In our 2026 National Homeowner Survey, 74% of homeowners have never appealed their property tax bill, and 57% of those who never appealed didn't know they had the right to do so. That's a missed opportunity.
Illustrative Example: How an Appeal Could Save You Money
Let's look at a California homeowner with a typical home value of $750,000 and an effective tax rate of 1.2%. Here's what a successful appeal could look like:
Before Appeal | After Appeal | |
|---|---|---|
Assessed value | $750,000 | $700,000 |
Tax rate | 1.2% | 1.2% |
Annual property tax bill | $9,000 | $8,400 |
Annual savings | — | $600 |
This is an illustrative example only, not an Ownwell customer result. Actual savings depend on your property's assessed value, local tax rates, and the outcome of your appeal.
For more strategies, see our guide on tips to lower your property tax bill.
How Much Are You Over Paying?
If you'd rather skip the paperwork and let a professional handle your appeal, we can help.
How Ownwell Can Help
We handle the entire California appeals process end-to-end: gathering evidence, filing your application, and representing you at hearings. You pay nothing upfront. Our contingency pricing means you only pay if we save you money.
Here's what Ownwell customers have experienced:
88% success rate on appeals
$774 average annual savings per successful appeal
4.7-star rating across 3,000+ Google reviews
1 million+ appeals processed nationwide
We operate in California and eight other states. Ready to see what you could save? Start your California property tax appeal in about 60 seconds.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is California Proposition 43?
Proposition 43 is a constitutional amendment on California's November 3, 2026 ballot that, if approved by voters, would require two-thirds voter approval for local special taxes proposed through citizen initiatives, beginning January 1, 2027.
Does Prop 43 change my property taxes?
No. Prop 43 does not change your assessment, your current tax bill, or Proposition 13's 1% cap and 2% growth limit.
Is Prop 43 the same as Prop 13?
No. Prop 13 governs how your home is assessed and has been law since 1978. Prop 43 governs future vote thresholds for local special-tax initiatives and is not yet law.
When does Prop 43 take effect?
If approved by voters on November 3, 2026, it would take effect January 1, 2027.
Does Prop 43 apply to existing taxes?
No. Prop 43 applies prospectively only. It does not repeal or alter local taxes already in effect.
What is a special tax?
A special tax is a tax dedicated to a specific purpose, such as parks, transit, or fire protection, rather than general government use.
