Deadline for property tax relief

Deadline for property tax relief programs near

March 31, 2011

Assessor David Ryals would like to remind Boundary County property owners that the April 15 filing deadline is fast approaching for certain property tax relief programs.

That Friday is the filing deadline for receiving the homeowner’s exemption on this year’s property tax bill. This exemption reduces the taxable value of your owner-occupied residence plus up to one acre of home site by 50-percent up to a maximum of $94,020. You only need to apply once, as it remains in effect for as long as you continue to own your home and occupy the residence.

Applications for the homeowner exemption cannot be accepted after April 15 unless your residence is newly constructed and first occupied after that date.

April 15 is also the deadline to file for the circuit breaker exemption, which must be renewed each year. This is a state-funded property tax relief program that pays all or a portion of the property tax for property owners age 65 or older, those who are widowed or disabled or who are under 18 years of age and fatherless, motherless or abandoned. The amount the state pays toward your property tax depends on your net income, and is currently set at a maximum of $28,000, but it does not pay applied fees such as solid waste or translator.

Additionally, there is a state-funded program that may allow you to defer a portion of your property tax, and again, the deadline for applying is April 15.

This deferment program is also income-based, but has a few more strings attached.

These programs are designed to provide property tax relief to qualified applicants, but they can be complicated. Please call the Assessor’s Office at (208) 267-3301 if you have questions or would like more information.