Art. XIII, § 12

Tax rates on unsecured property

Duty Taxes, Money & Commerce Art. XIII · Taxation

Official text rightpowerlimitif conditionlegal term

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), taxes on personal property, possessory interests in land, and taxable improvements located on land exempt from taxation which are not a lien upon land sufficient in value to secure their payment shall be levied at the rates for the preceding tax year upon property of the same kind where the taxes were a lien upon land sufficient in value to secure their payment.

(b) In any year in which the assessment ratio is changed, the Legislature shall adjust the rate described in subdivision (a) to maintain equality between property on the secured and unsecured rolls.

History: Sec. 12 amended Nov. 2, 1976, by Prop. 11. Res.Ch. 60, 1976.

Simplified explanation

Taxes on personal property, possessory interests, and improvements on exempt land that are not secured by a lien on land are levied at the prior year's secured rates; the Legislature must adjust that rate when the assessment ratio changes.