Utility Users Tax Exemption
Important Information Regarding
Measure U – Utility Users Tax
City Officials were relieved and thankful that Newark voters approved the passage of Measure U, Newark’s temporary fiscal emergency measure. By approving Measure U, voters agreed to a three and one-half percent (3.5%) utility users tax on utility services (electricity, natural gas, telephone/cell phone, and cable T.V., not satellite). Although it does not solve Newark’s financial situation, revenues generated by the utility tax will allow the City to maintain and restore important services and programs they were forced to eliminate or reduce during the past few years due to budget constraints.
Measure U is a local revenue which means funds will be spent locally in Newark and that the State cannot touch it to balance its budget. Measure U includes annual independent audits and reports to the community, and sunsets in five (5) years. Measure U also contains exemptions for two groups of residents.
Exemptions
There is an exemption available for residential utility customers who are seventy (70) years of age or older. This exemption also applies if the spouse or domestic partner of the customer is seventy (70) years of age or older. The other exemption is for low income residential customers. Any customer who is enrolled in the PG&E CARE Program (California Alternate Rates for Energy) can qualify for this exemption.
How to apply
Simple applications are available for these exemptions. For seniors, in addition to completing the form for the senior exemption, they also need to provide proof of age with a copy of a government issued identification (California Drivers License, State issued identification card, or other official document) for the qualifying senior. Also, copies of the front page of the most recent utility bills (applies to electricity, natural gas, telephone, cell phone, and cable T.V., not satellite) to verify account information.
For the low income exemption, applicants need to provide copies of their most recent PG&E bill showing their enrollment in the CARE program and copies of the front page of the most recent utility bills (applies to electricity, natural gas, telephone, cell phone, and cable T.V., not satellite) to verify account information.
Exemption Applications
Exemption applications are available at the following locations:
George M. Silliman Activity Center, 6800 Mowry Avenue, Newark
Finance Office located on the first floor of the City Administration Building, 37101 Newark Blvd., Newark.
Or you may download the forms here. The forms will be in Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) format. You will need Acrobat Reader to read the forms. If you do not have Acrobat Reader download this first and install it; then download the form you need.
Low Income Residents Exemption Form
Residents 70 Years or Older Exemption Form
Submit completed application and attachments to:
City of Newark, Finance Department
37101 Newark Boulevard
Newark, CA 94560
Effective Date of Exemption:
Exemptions will not take effect until the application has been verified and approved by the Tax Administrator and processed by the utilities. The City has up to 60 days to process the request for exemption and if approved, notify the utility companies.
For Low-Income Exemptions - The exemption becomes effective on the beginning of the first regular billing period commencing after the utility companies have been notified.
For Senior Citizen Exemptions – The exemption becomes effective on the beginning of the second regular billing period commencing after the utility companies have been notified.
Residents may be eligible for a refund of taxes improperly collected by the utilities. Residents seeking a refund must contact the City of Newark Finance Department.
Questions – contact:
Laurie Gebhard, Community Affairs Officer
City of Newark
City Manager’s Office
(510) 578-4392