What is Antioch Mello Roos Tax?
This is a frequently asked question from prospective home buyers in Antioch. According to Marcella at the Contra Costa County Tax Collector’s Office, “The Mello Roos Tax is an additional tax to pay for street lights, roads, parks, and other infrastructures.” This information is collaborated by two other sources, including California Tax Data Inc.’s website which states, “Mello Roos is a form of financing that can be used by cities, counties and special districts (such as school districts). Mello Roos Community Facilities Districts (referred to as “CFD’s) raise money through special taxes that must be approved by 2/3rds of the voters within the district. A CFD is formed to finance major improvements and services within the district which might include schools, roads, libraries, police and fire protection services or ambulance service. The taxes are secured by a continuing lien and are levied annually against property within the district.”
Contra Costa County has contracted with Willdan Financial Services of Temecula, California to administrate its Mello Roos Tax program. Erica of Willdan Financial also verified the definition of Mello Roos tax, stating, “Mello Roos pays for community facilities and infrastructures in a community. Basically, Mello Roos Tax is a special assessment in addition to regular taxes on a home.”
Do All Homes in Antioch Have Mello Roos Tax?
According to the Contra Costa County Tax Collector’s Office and Willdan Financial Services, this depends on the particular parcel the home is located on. Both suggest that if a prospective buyer is interested in a particular home, they get the parcel number and contact either the Contra Costa Tax Collector’s Office or Willdan Financial Services to inquire if there is Mello Roos Tax on that property. They pointed out that not all communities have a Mello Roos Tax, but for those that do, the Mello Roos Tax is based upon the parcel. Erica of Willdan Financial explained, “In a community with Mello Roos Tax, the cost is dependent upon the parcel, due to the location of certain infrastructure in relation to the parcel. For instance, if a home is directly across from a street light the Mello Roos Tax may be higher than say someone in the community who is further away from the street light. The Mello Roos Tax is not based on the cost of the home.”
A general consensus among those with knowledge of the home market in Antioch is that homes built in Antioch prior to 1989 historically do not have Mello Roos Tax associated with them, or any other supplemental taxes attached to them.
Does Antioch Mello Roos Tax Expire?
Marcella at the Contra Costa County Tax Collector’s office explained, “Most Mello Roos Taxes do expire, however they can last for as long as 30 years, or as short as 10 to 15 years.” Erica from Willdan Financial Services stated, “Some Mello Roos Taxes do expire after 20 to 40 years, but some do continue on a ‘flat rate’, for street lights and roads.” Again, this is dependent upon the parcel and the community in which the home is located. Erica elaborated, “The further away a new community is from existing infrastructure, the more it will impact the Mello Roos Tax.”
How Does A Home Owner Pay Mello Roos Tax?
According to California Tax Data Inc.’s website, “In almost all cases, Mello Roos Taxes are levied as a part of the annual property tax bill. You should be able to find your Mello Roos special tax as a line item on that bill. In rare cases, a Mello Roos District will send out its own bill. To find out more about this bill, you will need to contact the agency directly.”
How Do I Know if the House I am Interested in Purchasing has Mello Roos Tax?
Per both the Contra Costa County Tax Office and Willdan Financial Services, the most definitive way to determine whether a house you are interested in purchasing has Mello Roos Tax or not, is to obtain the parcel number and contact either the Contra Costa Tax Office at (877) 957-5280 or Willdan Financial Services at (866) 807-6864.
