Parcel Taxes

1.  To qualify for the exemption for the 2024/25 tax year, the applicant needs to be 65 years or older as of July 1, 2025, or be receiving Social Security Insurance regardless of age, whose yearly income does not exceed 250 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

2.  The applicant owns and occupies the property for which the exemption is claimed.

3.  The applicant must complete the 2025/26 'New Filer Application' and ensure it is received at the address below on or before June 1, 2025. Applications received after June 1, 2025, will not be accepted.

Menlo Park City School District
Attn: Parcel Tax Exemption
181 Encinal Ave.
Atherton, CA 94027

Applications for the 2025-26 tax year:

To Download our form  CLICK HERE

For our online google form CLICK HERE

Contact Information

Phone: (650) 321-7140 Ext. 5606

Email:  seniorexemption@mpcsd.org

For other questions regarding your San Mateo County Property Tax Bill Contact:    

County of San  Mateo  Treasurer-Tax Collector office: (650) 363-4142

FAQ

Do I need to apply every year?
No.  Exemptions already granted by the District will remain in effect as long as the taxpayer is eligible. If you are newly eligible for the tax, you will need to apply with the District before the tax year begins.

We do not accept applications retroactively. If you were eligible for the exemption in 2022 but missed the application deadline, please reach out to our office.

Note: Owner-occupants residing on more than one contiguous parcel are encouraged to contact the MPCSD to request exemption for the additional parcels

Why am I being asked to verify my eligibility if I only have to apply once?
Many changes in property ownership or residency can occur. While an exemption is granted based on a one-time application, it only remains in effect as long as the taxpayer is eligible for the exemption.  Each year the District will randomly select a small number of exempt taxpayers to verify their continued eligibility for the exemption. 

What is the deadline to apply for the exemption?
The deadline to apply is June 1st to receive the exemption on the upcoming San Mateo County property tax bill.

How will I know that I have received the parcel tax exemption?
When you receive your property tax bill from the San Mateo County Tax Collector’s office in the Fall, the District’s parcel tax charge will not appear at all. Typically on a regular property tax bill, it appears as “MP ESD MEASURES”. Click here to view an example of a San Mateo County property tax bill with the MP ESD Comb Meas Sp Tax highlighted.

*If you received this exemption the highlighted charge will not appear on your bill.

I see a Menlo Park “Menlo Park EL 2005” charge under General Taxes. What is that?
Those are charges related to Bonds and there are no exemptions for those charges.

What taxes are included in the exemption?
The parcel taxes for MPCSD play an important role in enriching and extending education for all children. Descriptions of the current parcel taxes totaling $1533.40 for 2024-25 are listed below, (rate may be adjusted annually per the Bay Area Consumer Price Index (CPI):

• Measure A 2000: On April 11, 2000, 74.7% of District voters authorized a parcel tax to improve children’s academic performance, reduce class size, improve teacher quality, and expand courses. The measure authorized the District to levy the tax at the initial rate of $298 per year on each parcel of taxable ‎real property in the District, commencing July 1, 2000, without expiration. The tax rate is adjusted annually to account for changes in the San Francisco Bay Area consumer price index. The rate for 2024-25 is $585.62 per parcel.

• Measure A 2003: On November 4, 2003, 77.4% of District voters authorized another parcel tax to restore programs lost due to State budget cuts, including funding for remedial math and ‎reading, textbooks and materials, and to prepare teachers in the most effective teaching techniques in math, reading, and science‎. The measure authorized the District to levy the tax at the initial rate of $73 per year on each parcel of taxable ‎real property in the District, commencing July 1, 2004, without expiration. The tax rate is adjusted annually to account for changes in the San Francisco Bay Area consumer price index. The rate for 2024-25 is $129.26 per parcel.

• Measure B 2003: On November 4, 2003, 80.9% of District voters approved a measure to renew an existing parcel tax to maintain smaller class sizes for all students and to maintain funding for the teaching positions that facilitate those smaller class sizes.‎ The measure authorized the District to levy the tax at the initial rate of $97 per year on each parcel of taxable ‎real property in the District, commencing July 1, 2004, without expiration. The tax rate is adjusted annually to account for changes in the San Francisco Bay Area consumer price index. The rate for 2024-25 is $171.72 per parcel.​​​​​​

• Measure B 2021: On November 2, 2021, 74.7% of District voters authorized a parcel tax (Measure B) to retain high-quality teachers, excellent programs, and reasonable class sizes. The measure authorized the District to levy the tax at the initial rate of $598 per year on each parcel of taxable real property in the District for twelve years. This measure sunsets on June 30, 2034. The tax rate is adjusted annually to account for changes in the San Francisco Bay Area consumer price index. The rate for 2024-25 is $646.80 per parcel.

Is this exemption only for seniors?
No, the parcel tax exemption may also be received by those receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, regardless of age, whose yearly income does not exceed 250 percent of the 2012 federal poverty guidelines issued by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, who occupies said parcel as a principal residence. Requirements for applying can be found on the application.