KEMMERER — Gov. Mark Gordon and the Wyoming Department of Revenue recently announced that the property tax refund program for homeowners is now open for applications. The past legislative session appropriated an additional $20 million at the request of the governor to ensure that homeowners in need are eligible to participate.

“I want to thank the Legislature for endorsing the importance of this program to Wyoming taxpayers and for providing the resources needed to get additional relief to those most impacted by increased assessments,” Gordon said in a statement.

Lincoln County Treasurer Jerry Greenfield said this county is one of those areas impacted. As assessed property values increase in Kemmerer due to upcoming new developments on the horizon, homeowners will feel the sting of higher property taxes. Lincoln County is anticipating increased property values and is incorporating a separate county refund due Oct. 14.

Greenfield said, “Lincoln County is one of the few that developed their own property tax refund in addition to the state. Due to the exorbitant increase in property taxes, we did both.”

In 2023, the program helped more than 9,000 Wyoming families, with more than $8 million in refunds distributed. The average refund statewide was approximately $938. With the newly issued property tax refund, homeowners can apply for a refund of up to one-half of the median residential property tax amount or 75% of their 2023 property tax bill, whichever is less.

Residents may benefit from both state and county refunds with the recently signed House Bill 4 that expands eligibility to those whose household income is equal to or less than 145% of the median household income for their county of residence, or the statewide median, whichever is greater.

There are other qualifications, though. Applicants must have been Wyoming residents for at least five years, occupy the residence at least nine months of the year and have total assets less than $156,900 per adult household member.

The Department of Revenue anticipates an additional 2,000 taxpayers will qualify with the increased income level even with these requirements. Lincoln County residences’ household income amount is no more than $134,111 to qualify or 145% of the 2023 median household income for the county.

Taxpayers who applied for refunds last year will receive an application from the Wyoming Department of Revenue in the mail in mid-April but may also apply online at wptrs.wyo.gov and applications are due by June 3.

In addition, applications are available from local county treasurers’ offices across the state. Before applying for the refund, individuals must pay their 2023 taxes in full. The application requires copies of tax bills and tax receipts (available from the county treasurer) as well as verification of all income including IRS form 1040, pension/IRA and/or a Social Security benefits letter for each household member.

Homeowners will have the chance to apply for the Lincoln County property tax refund program in May.

“This is for everybody that is paying property taxes that earns less than $115,000,” Greenfield said.

He has been setting up workshops around the county to inform residents how to take advantage of the refund.

Lincoln County had 405 tax refund applications in 2022 with 346 of those being approved. Total dollar amount refunded was around $272,000 with an average of $786.32 per household. With a slight increase in refunds from the previous tax year, Greenfield stressed that people be aware that this refund is for all property taxpayers and to check the qualifications to apply.    

“In the past people felt the refund was only for the elderly, but with the increase in property tax they are understanding this refund is for all property taxpayers,” Greenfield said.

For more information about property tax refund visit wptrs.wyo.gov or the Lincoln County treasurer’s office.