San Francisco Resolved Thousands of Tax Appeals

The city cut into its property tax backlog by settling 13,000 assessable events this fiscal year.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Remote Work

San Francisco Resolved Thousands of Tax Appeals

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San Francisco officials have made significant progress in clearing a massive backlog of property tax assessment appeals. The city successfully resolved 13,000 assessable events this fiscal year, aided by new staffing and administrative changes.

Why it matters

The backlog ballooned following the pandemic as property values fluctuated, prompting a surge in homeowner appeals. State law mandates that the city must resolve these disputes within a two-year window, necessitating the current push to finalize pending cases.

The city received 9,088 property tax appeals in fiscal year 2025-26, compared to just 1,400 filings in 2018-19. Officials have set aside $100 million to cover potential refunds resulting from successful appeals.

The details

To manage the volume, the city formed three dedicated appeals teams and introduced temporary value reductions to incentivize resolutions. Funding for 17 additional appraiser positions since 2024 has further bolstered the office's ability to process the remaining 11,000 events.

1,400 appeals were filed during the 2018-19 fiscal year.
Appeals began to surge significantly in 2021.
Funding for 17 new appraiser positions was secured in 2024.
The city is mailing notification letters to property owners in the backlog this September 2026.

Market Landscape

San Francisco's efforts to stabilize local property assessments align with the broader municipal challenge of maintaining fiscal accuracy after market volatility. The city's move to expedite resolutions positions its tax office to better navigate the state's rigid two-year appeal timeline.

Property owners currently waiting for an appeal decision should monitor their mail for notification letters arriving this month. The city has reserved $100 million for refunds, meaning successful appeals could lead to direct financial credits for affected residents.

The takeaway

Homeowners should ensure their contact information is current with the city to avoid missing critical updates regarding their property valuation. Proactive communication with the assessor's office remains the best way to track the status of an active appeal.