Budget committee forwards administrative rules to implement San Francisco’s Empty Homes Tax

The Budget and Finance Committee on Oct. 11 forwarded to the full Board an ordinance that adds administrative provisions to implement the Empty Homes Tax, approved by San Francisco voters on Nov. 8, 2022, which becomes effective Jan. 1, 2024.

Amanda Freed of the Office of the Treasurer and Tax Collector told the committee the ordinance standardizes audit and collections authority, filing and payment requirements, penalties and taxpayer confidentiality to align the new tax with existing business tax measures. "Each owner of a relevant residential unit would be required to file annual informational returns," Freed said, adding the office plans to collect the tax on the April following the calendar year for which the tax is imposed. She also said owners with valid California homeowner exemptions are exempt from the filing requirement.

Chair Supervisor Connie Chan moved the item to the full Board with a positive recommendation. The committee recorded two ayes (Chan and Vice Chair Rafael Mendelmann) and forwarded the ordinance for Board consideration.

The item will return as a Board agenda item on Oct. 17 unless otherwise noted; the committee did not receive public comment on the ordinance at the hearing.