Property Tax Reduction & Deferral Programs Now Open for 2011 Enrollment
Posted on 01-20-2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2011 |
Contact: Jessica Donald
Communications Specialist
208-287-6998
jdonald@adaweb.net |
Property Tax Reduction & Deferral Programs Now Open for 2011 Enrollment
Assessor Providing Free Application Assistance
(Boise, ID) -- Ada County property owners may now apply for the State of Idaho’s Property Tax Reduction and Property Tax Deferral programs for 2011. Eligible residents are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible before the April 15, 2011 deadline.
PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION (CIRCUIT BREAKER) PROGRAM:
Through the Property Tax Reduction Program, qualified property owners can reduce their annual property tax bill by up to $1,320. The State of Idaho reimburses Ada County for the reduction in property taxes, up to the claimant’s qualifying benefit amount. To be eligible for the Property Tax Reduction Program, a property owner must be eligible for State of Idaho Homestead Exemption benefits, and must meet one or more of these qualifying factors as of January 1, 2011:
· Age 65 or older
· Widow(er) of any age
· Blind
· Fatherless or motherless child under 18 years of age
· Former prisoner of war/hostage
· Disabled as recognized by the Social Security Administration, Railroad Retirement Board or Federal Civil Service
· Veteran with a 10 percent or more service-connected disability or receiving a pension from Veteran’s Affairs (VA) for non-service-connected disability
In addition, applicants for the 2011 Property Tax Reduction Program must have a 2010 net income of $28,000 or less after deducting non-reimbursed medical expenses. Other deductions may include funeral expenses, business/farm losses, early banking withdrawal penalties and/or alimony paid. Applicants must provide documentation proving their wages and all sources of income.
“The Property Tax Reduction Program is intended to help seniors and other qualified residents reduce their property taxes,” said Ada County Assessor, Robert McQuade. “Program eligibility is based on the prior year’s income, so residents do need to remember to re-apply for this program each year.”
The Ada County Assessor’s Office recently mailed Property Tax Reduction applications to residents who qualified for the program last year. Anyone who requested an application, but does not receive it by Friday, January 28th, 2011 should contact the Assessor’s office at (208) 287-7200. Residents who would like to request an application or know of someone who might be eligible for the program, are encouraged to contact the Assessor’s Office to obtain an application.
Property Tax Reduction Application Assistance
Assessor Robert McQuade wants to remind property owners that there is no cost to apply for the 2011 Property Tax Reduction Program, and residents should never work with someone who tries to charge an application fee.
Residents who need one-on-one assistance to complete the application are encouraged to visit locations where Ada County Assessor’s Office employees will be offering assistance free of charge. Please see the schedule below for dates and locations. Residents can also receive assistance at the Ada County Assessor’s Office, located at 190 W. Front Street, Suite 107, directly east of the Ada County Courthouse. Those interested in applying for the 2011 Property Tax Reduction Program must submit an application,
by April 15, 2011.
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2011 Property Tax Reduction Program - Application Assistance Schedule:
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Boise Senior Center -
690 Robbins Road, Boise, ID 83702 (345-9921)
EVERY Thursday : February 3 through April 7 - 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Eagle Senior Center -
312 E. State Street, Eagle, ID 83616 (939-0475)
Tuesday: February 1, 15, & March 1, 15, 29 - 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Kuna Senior Center -
299 Avenue B, Kuna, ID 83634 (922-9714)
Monday: February 7, 14, March 7, 21 & April 4 - 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Garden City Senior Center -
3835 Reed St., Garden City, ID 83714 (336-8122)
Friday: February 18 & March 18 - 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Meridian Community Center -
201 E. Idaho Ave., Meridian, ID 83642 (888-3579)
Thursday: February 22, March 8, 22 & April 5 - 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Meridian Boys & Girls Club -
911 N. Meridian Rd. Boise, ID 83642 (208-888-5392)
Tuesday: February 8 – 9:30 to 12pm
Star Senior Center -
102 Main St., Star, ID 83669 (286-7943)
Friday: February 4, March 4 & April 1 - 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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PROPERTY TAX DEFERRAL PROGRAM:
The Property Tax Deferral Program offers residents a way to defer property taxes on their home and up to one acre of land. These taxes must eventually be repaid to the State of Idaho, with 6% interest. To qualify, you must apply for and meet the eligibility requirements of the Property Tax Reduction (Circuit Breaker) Program as previously listed, and have a 2010 income of $40,000 or less. If an application is approved, a resident’s property tax deferral will appear on their December 2011 tax bill. The deferred property taxes plus interest must be repaid when:
· Any part of the property is sold or the title is transferred
· The qualified claimant, or the last qualified claimant dies
· The property no longer qualifies for the Homestead Exemption (meaning it’s no longer the resident’s primary residence)
· The Idaho State Tax Commission determines that the property tax deferral was granted to an individual who isn’t a qualified claimant, or granted for property that does not qualify
Assessor Robert McQuade reminds property owners that “This is a valued program created by the Idaho Legislature to help ease the property tax burden for qualified property owners, however, the deferred property taxes and interest do become a lien on the applicant’s property, and must eventually be repaid with interest.”
Residents interested in applying for the 2011 Property Tax Deferral Program must submit an application, including notarized signatures, by April 15, 2011.
APPLYING FOR THE 2011 PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION AND DEFERRAL PROGRAMS:
For more information on these programs, or to obtain an application, residents can call (208) 287-7200 or visit the Ada County Assessor’s Office at 190 E. Front Street, Suite 107. The Assessor’s Office is located directly east of the Courthouse on the ground floor of the Civic Plaza Apartment Complex. Residents interested in applying for the 2011 Property Tax Reduction and Tax Deferral Programs must file their application at the Assessor’s office by the April 15, 2011 deadline.