Wyoming is currently accepting applications for various property tax relief programs aimed at veterans, long-term homeowners, and properties occupied by their owners.
Dixie Huxtable, Converse County Clerk and Chair of the Wyoming County Assessor Association Legislative Committee, discussed some key points homeowners should consider to save on taxes.
Property taxes have increasingly garnered attention from the Wyoming Legislature, with many county officials employing different outreach methods—like mailings, city hall meetings, media advertisements, and visits to local senior centers—to spread the word.
Yet, Huxtable noted that numerous homeowners remain unaware of their options. “I’d like to think I’ve reached out effectively,” she said, “but people still approach me completely uninformed. I’ve had visitors to my office since October ask about programs they’ve never heard of until a neighbor mentioned them.”
One significant cost-saving measure in state law allows property tax increases to be capped at 4% per year without any action required from homeowners. Huxtable explained that there are effectively two 4% caps—one for residential structures and another for the associated land—though neither necessitates homeowner input. The assessor will prioritize exemptions according to state law.
Exemption
Homeowners who occupy their residences for at least eight months annually can receive a 25% exemption on the first $1 million of the property’s fair market value.
This exemption automatically applied last tax year to all single-family homes across Wyoming. Homeowners are encouraged to apply now online, including submitting an affidavit confirming property possession by February 1st. With around 175,000 homeowners eligible for the program, judges collaborated with the Department of Revenue to create the website, according to Huxtable.
“We’re working on making the process more efficient, and though there have been some hiccups, we’re doing our best to comply with the law,” she added.
She acknowledged that accessing the online application might be challenging for some individuals.
“I know people in their 90s who live independently and manage their bills, but they struggle with this system. They don’t have computers,” Huxtable explained.
For older homeowners, specifically those aged 65 and above, there’s another tax-saving opportunity: a deduction offering a 50% exemption for residents who have paid property taxes in Wyoming for at least 25 years, provided the property is their primary home.
Homeowners must apply at their local county assessor’s office by May 26. It’s important to note that the 25% and 50% exemptions cannot be combined.
“It’s an either-or situation,” Huxtable stated.
Additionally, veterans may qualify for an exemption that reduces assessed property value by $6,000, which also applies to vehicles. These applications are also due by May 26 at the local county assessor’s office.
While not an exemption, state property tax rebate programs may be another avenue, depending on whether lawmakers choose to allocate funding in the next session. Some lawmakers are even considering a more radical approach—proposing to abolish all property taxes.
Simultaneously, some homeowners are urging Congress to refrain from further tax cuts due to concerns over the impact on public service funding, as property taxes largely finance local services like schools, law enforcement, roads, and public amenities.
Huxtable has observed a growing awareness in her community regarding what these taxes finance. “I think as discussions continue, people realize the potential consequences on the services they’ve come to expect,” she noted.
