Property Taxes in Taft, California
Median Taft, California effective property tax rate: 2.07%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Taft, California home value: $115,766
Median annual Taft, California tax bill: $2,466, $66 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Kern calculated?
Property taxes in Taft, California are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Taft's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Taft, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Taft Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Taft property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property’s assessed value and our calculator applies Taft’s median effective tax rate of 2.07% — based on actual property records in Kern County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property’s estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home’s market value. Our calculator applies Taft’s median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Taft: rates range from 2.07% in 93268 to 2.07% in 93268, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Taft.
About Taft Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Taft, Kern, California
Taft’s median effective property tax rate of 2.07% is higher than the 1.21% California state median and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Kern County base levy combined with local school district levies and Mello-Roos Community Facility Districts that can affect homeowners across the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Taft. Homeowners in the 93268 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 2.07%, while the lowest ZIP code is also 93268 at 2.07%. That means the city’s tax rate is consistent across the available ZIP data, but the assessed value still plays a major role in the final bill.
Taft homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Kern County Tax Assessor before the November 30, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Taft, Kern County, California
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Taft's effective property tax rate to other cities in California and the median property tax rates in California and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Taft Tax Rate
2.07%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Kern County Tax Rate
1.43%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Taft, Kern County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93268 | 1.37% | 1.67% | 2.07% | 2.99% | 4.42% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Taft, Kern County, California
When examining property taxes in Taft, California, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Kern County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Kern County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month when notices are sent.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Taft.
For example, the median home price in Taft is $115,766, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 93268 has the highest median home price at $115,766.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Taft, Kern County, California
Source: Ownwell
$32,172
$245,261
$458,349
Median Taft Market Value
$115,766
Median Kern County Market Value
$219,332
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Taft, Kern County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93268 | $31,389 | $59,024 | $115,766 | $193,204 | $275,705 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Taft, Kern County, California
Property tax bills in Taft are calculated from the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set for Kern County. The assessed value is the starting point, and the final bill reflects how that value compares with local tax rules and any applicable exemptions. For homeowners, this means the amount due can vary based on the market value of the property and how it is assessed for tax purposes.
In Taft, the median home price is $115,766, and the median property tax bill is $2,466. That places the typical bill slightly above the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Bills can differ widely across households, with the 25th percentile at $1,750 and the 75th percentile at $3,443, while the 90th percentile reaches $4,414. These differences show how property taxes can affect homeowners unevenly, especially when assessed values rise or local tax obligations change.
Median Taft Tax Bill
$2,466
Median Kern County Tax Bill
$3,124
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Taft, Kern County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93268 | $1,219 | $1,750 | $2,466 | $3,443 | $4,414 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Property Valuation Date | January 1 |
| Appeal Deadline | November 30 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | October 1 |
| Due Date #1 | December 10 |
| Due Date #2 | April 10 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Kern Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.kerncounty.com |