San Francisco Tax Appeal Stats (2023)

San Francisco, renowned for its iconic skyline and dynamic economy, now finds itself at a crossroads as property owners, including the city's largest landlords, challenge their property tax assessments. With prominent players like Brookfield, Columbia Property Trust, and Blackstone lobbying for significant reductions in their assessed property values, the city's financial foundation appears shaken.

San Francisco Tax Appeal Stats (Editor's Choice)

• For the fiscal year ended June 30, tax filers have requested an average 48% reduction on property assessed at more than $60 billion.
• San Francisco is anticipating a $780M budget deficit through FY 2025.
• San Francisco office valuations have plummeted by up to 60%, while home prices in the city have decreased by 16% in June in a year-over-year comparison.
• A tech company in San Francisco with $30B in sales and 10,000 local employees pays up to 20 times more in local business taxes than if it were located in neighboring cities like Mountain View.
• The Gross Receipts Tax, San Francisco's primary business tax, brings in about $800M annually. Notably, nearly 70% of this revenue comes from three tech sectors, which rapidly shifted to work-from-home policies during the pandemic, slicing the Gross Receipts Tax revenue by over half in 2021.

Dropping Valuations: The Crux of the Matter

Recent filings with the San Francisco Assessment Appeals Board reveal the gravity of the situation. Brookfield, for instance, has appealed for a dramatic 75% reduction in the value of its office tower at 685 Market Street. Similarly, Blackstone seeks reductions ranging from 20% to 25% for properties near the waterfront. These appeals, alongside others, have pushed the average requested reduction to 48% for properties collectively assessed at over $60 billion for the fiscal year ending June 30.

Yet, it's not just office spaces that are experiencing this dip. Reports suggest a sharp 60% drop in valuations for San Francisco office spaces, while home prices saw a decrease of 16% in June on a year-to-year comparison.

City Finances: Tightening the Belt

San Francisco's fiscal challenges are further underscored by a looming $780M budget deficit projected to last through FY 2025. An anticipated refund of $167M due to these property tax appeals complicates the city's financial forecasting. Out of the 2,420 appeals processed by the board through June 30, an astounding 55% resulted in tax reductions.

Tax Reforms: The Need of the Hour

Amidst this backdrop, San Francisco’s existing tax framework is under scrutiny. Over the years, the city, with its residents' backing, has levied significant business taxes. For instance, a tech giant with impressive sales of $30B and a strong workforce of 10,000 local employees ends up paying significantly more in San Francisco than neighboring cities like Mountain View, San Jose, and Sunnydale.

Despite starting the decade as the city with the highest business tax load in California, San Francisco continued to introduce new business taxes during the pandemic, widening the gap further. However, this strategy might have backfired. A massive chunk of these taxes, nearly 70%, comes from three tech sectors that quickly adopted remote working, significantly impacting the Gross Receipts Tax revenue in 2021.

A Glimmer of Hope?

Mayor London Breed has proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the city’s tax structure, aiming for a more balanced and business-friendly approach. This proposal, expected to be presented to voters in November 2024, includes potential delays in tax increases for certain sectors and incentives for businesses considering downtown San Francisco for their operations.

Conclusion

San Francisco's tax dilemma underscores the delicate balancing act cities globally must perform – fostering a business-friendly environment while ensuring sustainable revenue streams. With plummeting property valuations, soaring appeals, and the city’s reliance on volatile tech sectors for its major revenue, San Francisco's road to fiscal stability appears challenging. However, with proactive measures and holistic tax reforms, there's hope for a resilient financial future.

FAQ

Why are property owners in San Francisco appealing their tax assessments?
Many property owners, including major landlords like Brookfield, Columbia Property Trust, and Blackstone, are appealing due to a significant drop in property valuations. They are seeking reductions that reflect the decrease in the value of their assets.

How much of a reduction in property values are major landlords requesting?
Brookfield has requested a 75% reduction for an office tower at 685 Market Street, while Columbia Property Trust is seeking a 50% reduction for three office buildings. Blackstone has asked for reductions between 20% to 25% for three office buildings near the waterfront.

How have property and home values in San Francisco changed recently?
Valuations for San Francisco offices have dropped by up to 60%. In contrast, home prices decreased by 16% in June on a year-over-year basis.

What is San Francisco's fiscal forecast given the current situation?
The city is facing a $780M budget deficit through FY 2025. Moreover, they're anticipating a refund of $167M due to these property tax appeals.

How do business taxes in San Francisco compare to neighboring cities?
San Francisco's business tax rate is notably higher. A tech company with $30B in sales and 10,000 local employees pays up to 20 times more in San Francisco than in neighboring Mountain View, and significantly more when compared to San Jose and Sunnydale.

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