Bay Area homeowners scramble to pay property taxes before Jan 1 changes

ALAMEDA, Calif. (KGO) -- The rules for property taxes are going to change on Jan. 1, which has prompted a pre-new year rush to get the taxes filed in the Bay Area.

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Laura Lee Ross is a tax partner at the Eisner Amper accounting firm in San Francisco. She is supposed to be on vacation but came into work on her day off to help clients confused by the new tax bill. "My phone has been ringing off the hook all day," she said.

The tax overhaul caps deductions for state and local taxes and property taxes to $10,000.

"I think they're shocked this is happening. I think those types of deductions had been taken for granted for many many years," said Ross.

Crowds of people are lining up at tax offices, scrambling to pay their property taxes before the rules change on January 1st.

Homeowners can pay the second installment of their property tax bill early, and get the deduction. It's not due until April. "That can be paid in December instead. And it will fall in the year 2017 and you can deduct it this year," said Ross.

People can pay by phone, by mail, in person or online.