[Verse 1]
When you own a house or land, there's a tax you need to pay
Based on what your property's worth at the end of each tax day
Assessors come around to check, they measure and they see
How much your home is valued at for the community
[Chorus]
A-V-M, that's how they assess
Market, cost, and income - they put values to the test
H-R-C-G, exemptions you can claim
Homestead, religious, charitable, government's the game
Property tax, it funds our schools
Property tax, community rules
[Verse 2]
Three methods help determine what your property is worth
Market sales comparison looks at similar homes on earth
Cost approach adds up materials, what it takes to build
Income method checks the rent that property has filled
[Chorus]
A-V-M, that's how they assess
Market, cost, and income - they put values to the test
H-R-C-G, exemptions you can claim
Homestead, religious, charitable, government's the game
Property tax, it funds our schools
Property tax, community rules
[Verse 3]
Homestead exemption saves you money on your family home
Churches, charities, and government buildings stand alone
They don't pay property taxes, they're exempt by law's design
Serving public good together, crossing every line
[Bridge]
TIF districts capture growth, redirect the extra funds
Proposition Thirteen limits how much tax burden runs
California voters said "enough" back in seventy-eight
Capped the rate and assessment growth, sealed the taxpayer's fate
[Chorus]
A-V-M, that's how they assess
Market, cost, and income - they put values to the test
H-R-C-G, exemptions you can claim
Homestead, religious, charitable, government's the game
Property tax, it funds our schools
Property tax, community rules
[Outro]
From assessment to exemption, limitations too
Property tax law matters in everything we do
Remember A-V-M and H-R-C-G
Property tax knowledge sets your understanding free