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Parcel Tax Exemption Information

The Menlo Park City School District offers residents who are seniors age 65 or older or are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, regardless of age, whose yearly income does not exceed 250 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. To receive the exemption, applications must be submitted to our District. Once granted, exemptions will remain in effect as long as the resident remains eligible. From time to time, those granted exemptions may be asked by the District to verify continued eligibility. Review this page for more information and frequently asked questions related to parcel tax exemptions.

The requirements to receive the exemption are:

1.  To qualify for the exemption for the 2023/24 tax year, the applicant needs to be 65 years or older as of July 1, 2023 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 2023/24 New Filer Application and mail to the address below prior to June 1, 2023:
Menlo Park City School District
Attn: Parcel Tax Exemption
181 Encinal Ave.
Atherton, CA 94027

Applications for the 2023-24 tax year can be found by CLICKING HERE.

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 using the contact information below.

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


Contact Info:

Email: seniorexemption@mpcsd.org
Phone: (650) 321-7140 Ext. 5611

For other questions regarding your San Mateo County Property Tax Bill:
Contact the County of San Mateo Treasurer-Tax Collectors 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.  The District will send exempt taxpayers a letter confirming the exemption on a yearly basis. If you are newly eligible for the tax, you will need to apply with the District before the tax year begins.

Why am I being asked to verify my eligibility if I only have to apply once?
There are many changes in property ownership or residency that 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 “MP ESD MEASURES”  You will also receive a letter from the District confirming your exemption. 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 $1,130.30 for 2019-20) are listed below, (rate may be adjusted annually per the Bay Area Consumer Price Index (CPI):
 

  • Measure A 2003 renewed the 1995 parcel tax for purposes of reducing class sizes ($144.08 per parcel)
  • Measure A 2000 expanded direct services to students in fine arts, counseling, middle school electives and remedial services and class size reductions in the upper grades ($491.38 per parcel)
  • Measure B 2003 restored 50% funding of state cuts, which now funds remedial instruction, instructional materials, training of teachers in core academic subjects and challenge services for accelerated students ($108.46 per parcel)
  • Measure X 2017 maintains small class sizes, high quality teachers and essential education programs ($386.38 per parcel). This parcel tax set to expire on June 30, 2024.
     

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.

Who do I contact for more questions regarding this exemption?
Inquiries can be emailed to: seniorexemption@mpcsd.org. Or, you can call: 650-321-7140 Ext. 5611.

Related Resources and Information

Click here to view an example of a San Mateo County property tax bill with the MP ESD MEASURES highlighted.
*If you received this exemption the highlighted charge will not appear on your bill.

Click here to view the Board approved resolutions establishing the amount of a parcel tax for 2019-20.