senior property taxes in idaho (sale, assessor, house)

[judyb]

I would like to know if idaho has property tax exemption for seniors? if anyone out there knows for sure, i would really appreciate your knowledgeable input.
i have heard yes and no on the subject so iam not sure at this point. thank you.

[Southside Shrek]

Idaho appears to have a 2% tax increase cap for seniors 65 and older.


]]]] LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO ]]]]
Fifty-eighth Legislature First Regular Session - 2005


IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE BILL NO. 109

BY REVENUE AND TAXATION COMMITTEE

1 AN ACT
2 RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS; AMENDING CHAPTER 6, TITLE 63, IDAHO CODE,
3 BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 63-602HH, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR A
4 TAX EXEMPTION FOR PROPERTY OWNED BY QUALIFIED PERSONS AGED SIXTY-FIVE
5 YEARS OR OLDER, TO PROVIDE FOR APPLICATION OF THE EXEMPTION TO HOMESTEAD,
6 TO PROVIDE CONDITIONS FOR THE EXEMPTION, TO DEFINE TERMS, TO PROVIDE THAT
7 AN OWNER IS REQUIRED TO MAKE APPLICATION FOR THE EXEMPTION ONLY ONCE IF
8 CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET, TO PROVIDE FOR RECORDS, TO PROVIDE WHEN TAXES
9 ARE DUE, TO PROVIDE CIVIL PENALTIES AND TO DECLARE THAT THE EXEMPTION IS
10 NECESSARY AND JUST; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

11 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:

12 SECTION 1. That Chapter 6, Title 63, Idaho Code, be, and the same is
13 hereby amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and des-
14 ignated as Section 63-602HH, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

15 63-602HH. PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION -- PERSONS SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF
16 AGE OR OLDER. (1) During the tax year 2006 and each year thereafter, owners of
17 owner-occupied residences who are over age sixty-five (65) years and who qual-
18 ify for the exemption provided in section 63-602G, Idaho Code, shall also
19 receive an exemption for any increases above two percent (2%) per year in
20 taxes on homesteads if timely application is made therefor. Provided however,
21 the revaluation of the property shall continue and any increase in the prop-
22 erty tax above two percent (2%) per year shall become a lien on the property
23 which shall become due upon the sale of the property or discontinued residency
24 of the residence by the sixty-five (65) years of age or older owner and
25 claimed resident as provided in subsection (5) of this section.
26 (a) This exemption applies to the homestead.
27 (b) To qualify to receive this exemption in tax year 2006 or any year
28 thereafter, an owner must have qualified for and received the exemption
29 provided in section 63-602G, Idaho Code, in the previous year.
30 (c) The owner must be aged sixty-five (65) years or older as of January 1
31 of the year in which the owner applies for and otherwise qualifies for
32 this exemption and shall apply to the county assessor by April 15.
33 (d) An owner who applies for and receives tax relief as provided in chap-
34 ter 7, title 63, Idaho Code, may not also qualify for this exemption.
35 (2) The exemption allowed by this section may be granted only if:
36 (a) The homestead is owner-occupied and used as the primary dwelling
37 place of the owner. The homestead may consist of part of a multidwelling
38 or multipurpose building and shall include all of such dwelling or build-
39 ing except any portion used exclusively for anything other than the pri-
40 mary dwelling of the owner. The presence of an office in a homestead,
41 which office is used for multiple purposes, including business and per-
42 sonal use, shall not prevent the owner from claiming the exemption pro-
43 vided in this section; and