SPARE Property Tax Exemptions

What are Special Assessments?

Special assessments are property taxes added to a property tax bill to fund specific local improvements and infrastructure projects. It is an additional tax levied to an area that would benefit from the project. These additional taxes are approved through voter ballot measures. The taxes are additional expenses added to the regular ad valorem taxes. In some ballot measures, there may be properties eligible for reduction or removal of the special assessment.

The SPARE office, or the SPecial Assessment Refund and Exemption office, was created to administer the exemptions of the City of Oakland ballot measures. A Property Owner may request an exemption based on the criteria defined by the voter approved ballot measure. By managing exemptions fairly, the SPARE office keeps the City of Oakland financially strong without sacrificing its diversity and equity.

Forms and Program Information

Check Your Exemption Application Status

Please email spare@oaklandca.gov or call (510) 238-2942 for the status of your application.
Please include your property address or APN.

How Do I Find My Assessor's Parcel Number (APN)?

You can find your Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) in the top left corner of your Alameda County Secured Property Tax Statement.

To look up your APN by street address please visit Alameda County here: Parcel Number Look-Up