More Idahoans can apply for this year’s Idaho Property Tax Reduction Program
BOISE, IDAHO – February 26, 2016 – (RealEstateRama) — Just under half of the more than 55,000 Idahoans eligible for a reduction in their property taxes actually apply for the Idaho Property Tax Reduction Program. The Idaho State Tax Commission wants to make more people aware of this property tax credit that’s available to low-income seniors and others who qualify, especially with expanded status qualifications that allow more potential claimants to apply this year.
Thanks to a new law, public employees who don’t contribute to Social Security can now qualify in the disabled category if they’re recognized as disabled by a public employee retirement system. They must still meet the ownership and income requirements to receive a benefit.
The Idaho Property Tax Reduction Program reduces property taxes on a homeowner’s primary Idaho residence and up to one acre of land by as much as $1,320.
Applicants for the property tax reduction program can have no more than $29,470 in total 2015 income. They must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. They must also be in at least one of the following categories as of Jan. 1, 2016:
- Age 65 or older
- Blind
- Widow(er) of any age
- Former prisoner of war or hostage
- Recognized as disabled by the Social Security Administration, Railroad Retirement Board, Federal Civil Service, a public employee retirement system not covered by these agencies, or by Veterans Affairs
- Fatherless or motherless child under 18 years old
“This benefit has a positive impact for many homeowners,” said Pam Waters, who oversees the Property Tax Reduction Program for the Tax Commission. “We’d like to see more people apply so they can get help paying their property taxes.”
Eligible homeowners can get an application for property tax reduction on the Tax Commission’s website or from their county assessor. Applications must be filed with a homeowner’s county assessor by Monday, April 18.
For more information, contact any county assessor’s office in Idaho or call the Tax Commission at (208) 334-7736 in the Boise area or toll-free at (800) 334-7756, or visit our Property Tax Reduction (Circuit Breaker) Web page.
