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'Circuit Breaker' property tax reduction deadline nears

| April 3, 2018 1:00 AM

Kootenai County residents eligible for property tax assistance through Idaho’s Circuit Breaker program have until 5 p.m., April 17, to submit their applications. Any qualified applicant who fails to submit an application before the deadline must wait until January 2019 to apply.

The goal of the Property Tax Reduction Circuit Breaker program is to make it easier for qualified homeowners to remain in their home by reducing their tax liability by as much as $1,320.

Eligible property owners must fit into one of the following categories as of Jan. 1, 2018:

- Age 65 or older

- Widow(er) of any age

- Disabled (as recognized by the Social Security Administration, Veterans Affairs, Railroad Retirement Board, or Federal Civil Service)

- Blind

- Fatherless or motherless child under 18 years of age

- Former prisoner of war or hostage

Additionally, applicants must also have a reported 2017 income — after deducting medical expenses — of $30,050 or less. Note: The Circuit Breaker program requires eligible property owners to apply for program benefits each year.

The state of Idaho reimburses Kootenai County for the portion of property tax that isn’t collected from the homeowner. Anyone who hasn’t received an application, or a reminder in the mail, is strongly encouraged to contact the Kootenai County Assessor’s Office at 208-446-1500 or 208-446-1511. Last year 3,065 applications were taken in Kootenai County. As of Monday, 1,900 applications have been taken, which leaves a balance of approximately 1,200 who have not yet applied. Additionally, Mike McDowell, the Kootenai County assessor, asks anyone who may know of someone who might be eligible to contact our office. The application is one page and is filed with your local Assessor’s Office. The Kootenai County Assessor’s Office is located at 451 Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on the second floor of the County Administration Building. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.