Is it possible to pass on the information to get the exemption for those with social security disability? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Hey.. didn't know about these exemptions.

I'll get my Mom on that one.. plus a couple of my neighbors.

See if we can't let some people keep more of their money!

Found it very easy to apply for exemption from MVWSD. Just call the district office and make a request. They will mail
you a form.

If you're a senior and have to re-apply for exemption . . . well, that's about as dumb a rule as I can think of. Rarely do people's ages change in the negative.

Since we, as a society, continue to fail to fund schools requiring parcel taxes and charitable giving (such as LAEF) perhaps it's time we rethink the entire financial scenario.

But that's unlikely to happen . . . in my lifetime.

Make it easy with an opt out box on the tax bill. Better yet, have an opt in so that everyone who wants to pay, can. Those who qualify and cannot afford the multiple $100 bond payments then do not need to add the amount onto the county property tax bill. There are multiple school bonds on our tax bills.
How about a way for people to claim past years' exemptions, too? As Otto stated, many are unaware of the ability to save their money and the system is unwieldy.
It is good that we have the Grand Jury because the politicians fail to listen to their constituents.

Kathleen, I did not find that the case - and it is explicit in the form for the last Parcel Tax that you must appear in person, with the proper property tax document, and proof of age or SSDI. I did not consider this onerous (one time). It seems like the exemption continues, without having to refile every year.

The Form is on-line, the application must be done in person to check the original documentation (not mailed in copy.)

Web Link


Since the timing was unclear - but the new tax is suppose to grandfather (continue) the exemptions for those that applied under the old tad, I just dragged my old 66 yr old self down with the form and the documents.

Does the District check 'change of ownership' or change of occupancy? (it does not apply, to oldsters moving to Maui and market-rate renting their old residence. ("owner occupied" principal residence)

Wait, Steven Nelson, are you telling us that you haven't been paying parcel taxes during the time you were on the MVWSD school board?

The application DOES NOT have to be done in person. You can mail it in, email it in, or even have a proxy bring it in if you aren't able to. The exemption does continue without having to renew every year.

Agree with Exemption above - you really can't afford the $198 per year? So nice of you to be supportive of the kids.

The exemption form for Measure B is not available on the district website. The link to follow for Measure B from the home page takes you to the old exemption form for Measure C.

It is not a "loss" if a government entity doesn't get tax money. Simply live within your means.

I talked to the Business office at MVWSD today. If I understood correctly, they are due to post an exemption form on their website within a week. At any rate, they said call back in a week.

How do we get a refund when we were paying taxes we couldn't afford? Seems like refunds are in order.

@Diablo, You were not given correct information. You will probably loose your (new) exemption if you do not file by the 30th of this month. You will loose the exemption for the whole tax year. Check the document on-line (yeah - it is somewhat incorrect now), print it, fill it out, take the correct documents down in-person, and get a copy showing that you submitted the correct documents - to the correct place, in time.

Sorry - as the Civil Grand Jury noted, often the written web documents are unclear and even district staffs are unclear. Note, if you miss*, you will not be given a refund after the county taxes you! ("by June 30")

(will the unnamed person at the Business Office give you $198 if they goofed? got that in writing?)


PS I supported the progressive Measure C tax, where large Google & Prometheus apartment parcels paid almost 10X what I did for my normal residential parcel. I do not support regressive tax cuts for the wealthy. (local or national)

poster from June 21
"Please complete this form and deliver it to the Mountain View Whisman School District Office at 750-A San Pierre Way, in Mountain View, by June 30, 2016. Also, please bring proof of residence, proof of age, and a copy of your tax bill." I do not know where you are getting your information. But it is obviously contrary to the written instructions that are currently (June 26, 1:50 PM) posted at MVWSD.org.


the Civil Grand Jury Report findings - confusion
"deliver it", same as 'have it delivered'? "bring proof" same as 'mail a copy of proof'?

There should be a requirement that anyone claiming exemption should also have voted "No" on the parcel tax measure. Anyone who voted "Yes" on the parcel tax but then claims exemption is just passing the buck to the rest of us.

You guys passed the majority of the buck to the rest of us decades ago with Prop 13. Pay your parcel tax and slink back to the home that we're all subsidizing you to live in.

@Taxpayer, why your idea (maybe has some merit) would not work. The electorate is not the same as 'property owners'. If you own property, and are not a resident, no vote. If you own property, are a resident, not a citizen, no vote. If you do not own property, are a citizen and registered, you can vote.

Sort of like the complicated rules for how the United States mixes up the election process for selecting a President of the United States. Somehow - the "States" part is represented.

As a residential property owner I paid my full and complete Measure C taxes over the full years of that school tax, and, as a voter I voted for Measure C when it was on the ballot more than 8 years ago.