Voter Approved Utility Users Tax Exemption Info

An exemption is available to Union City residential utility customers who are senior citizens (age 70 and older) or low income residents. Any resident that is enrolled in the PG&E CARE Program (California Alternate Rates for Energy) may also qualify for this exemption.

Simple applications are available for these exemptions. Please fill out an application form, sign, attach required supporting documentation, and return to the City’s Finance Department via mail for processing.

SENIOR CITIZENS (AGE 70 and above) 

Senior who are age 70 and above should complete the form for the senior exemption and provide proof of age with a copy of a government issued identification (California Driver’s License, State issued identification card, or other official document) for the qualifying senior. Also, copies of ALL PAGES of the most recent utility bills (applies to electricity, natural gas, telephone, cell phone, and cable T.V., not satellite and internet) to verify account information.

ENROLLED IN PG&E CARE PROGRAM 

For low income residents enrolled in the PG&E CARE program, 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 and internet) to verify account information.

LOW INCOME/NOT ENROLLED IN PG&E CARE PROGRAM 

For low income residents who are not enrolled in the PG&E CARE Program, documentation of low income status is needed. Please provide your tax return, to verify low income status. If you do not have a tax return, please submit alternative documentation of income listed on the low income application. You must provide 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 and internet) to verify account information.

Exemption Application 

You may fill out the exemption application using an online portal or by downloading PDF of the application.

• Apply online - Seniors (Residents 70 Years or Older) Exemption Form  
• Apply online - PG&E CARE Program Exemption Form
• Apply online - Low Income Residents Exemption Form

Printable PDF exemption applications are available for download here

• Seniors (Residents 70 Years or Older) Exemption Form  
• PG&E CARE Program Exemption Form
• Low Income Residents Exemption Form

Submit completed application and required attachments via mail to: 

City of Union City 
Attn: Revenue Division
34009 Alvarado Niles Road
Union City, CA 94587

Effective Date of Exemption

Utility Users Tax 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. The exemption becomes effective at the beginning of the first regular billing period after the utility companies have been notified.

Questions?

If you have questions regarding the exemption process, please contact the Finance Department at:

• Email:  uutexemption@unioncity.org
• Phone: 510-675-5417

There are three ways to find out if you are eligible for exemption:

PG&E's CARE Program

Residential service users that participate in the PG&E California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE) program, which is a monthly discount of 20% or more on gas and electricity, are eligible for an exemption from the proposed utility users’ tax. Participants qualify through income guidelines or if enrolled in certain public assistance programs, such as Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), CalFresh/SNAP (Food Stamps) and Medicaid/Medi-Cal. To apply, simply call a PG&E representative or go to PG&E’s website for more information.

Low Income Status as Determined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development

Households with a household income of less than 50% of the area median family income for the County of Alameda, as established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), are eligible for an exemption from the proposed utility users’ tax. As determined by HUD for 2020, here are the gross income levels that may make you eligible for an exemption:

***These numbers are subject to change.

Senior Exemption

Residential service users that are seventy years of age or older (if such service user resides alone or with a spouse or registered domestic partner and at least one spouse or partner is seventy years of age or older) are eligible for an exemption from the voter approved utility users’ tax.  There is no income criteria for this exemption.