Property tax refund program now open

The property tax refund program for homeowners has opened for applications, with an extra $20 million allocated by the Legislature this year and expanded eligibility.

The program assisted 9000 families last year and is expected to help an additional 2000 this year.

Homeowners can apply for a refund of up to one-half of the median residential property tax amount or 75 percent of their 2023 property tax bill, whichever is less.

HB-04 made changes to the program this year to widen the eligibility requirements.

To be eligible in the past, your total household income needed to be less than 125% of the median gross household income for either your county of residence or the state, whichever is greater.

Applicants who fall into this category will again receive 100% of the maximum possible refund, but a new category has also been added: household income below 145% of the median.

Applicants who fall into this category will receive 65% of the maximum possible refund.

The median gross household income for 2023 was $73,920 for the state and $71,810 for Crook County.

To qualify for the full refund amount, your household income will therefore need to be below $92,400. For 65% of the maximum possible refund, your household income must be below $107,184.

To qualify, you must also have been a Wyoming resident for at least five years with total assets less than $156,900 per adult household member. The program applies to primary residences only, which means you must occupy the home for at least nine months of the year.

“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,” said Governor Mark Gordon in a press release on Monday.

The property tax refund program distributed more than $8 million in refunds in 2023, with the average refund being approximately $938.

According to Brenda Henson, Director of the Department of Revenue, all taxpayers who applied for refunds last year will receive an application in the mail in mid-April. Taxpayers may also apply online at wptrs.wyo.gov or visit the Crook County Treasurer’s Office to request an application.

To apply, you will need copies of your tax bill and tax receipts and copies of verification of all income for each household member.

All applications must be filed by June 3 and your taxes for 2023 must have been paid in full.