CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Spring is winding down in the Tetons, which means it’s time to apply for a refund.
The Wyoming Department of Revenue and AARP Wyoming is alerting homeowners that important deadlines are approaching for those who wish to apply for tax relief. Wyoming offers several property tax relief programs.
Property Tax Refund Program
The property tax relief program for homeowners has an application deadline of Monday, June 2. According to the Wyoming Department of Revenue (DOR), homeowners can apply for a refund of up to one-half of the median residential property tax amount or 75 percent of their 2024 property tax bill, whichever is less.
Wyoming DOR Director Brenda Henson said via press release that Wyoming residents of five years or more could qualify for a refund if they have occupied their property for nine or more months in 2024, and have total assets less than $163,019 per adult household member, excluding the value of the home, one vehicle, retirement accounts, life insurance or medical saving accounts. If the homeowner’s 2024 property tax paid exceeds 10% of the total household gross income, the asset requirement is waived.
To be eligible for the program, household income must not exceed 145% of the median household income for the county where the property is located, or the statewide median, whichever is larger. For all but 10 counties, that amount is $109,881.
According to Governor Mark Gordon’s Office, counties with higher income limits include: Campbell ($133,139), Converse ($115,754), Crook ($112,897), Laramie ($111,331), Lincoln ($129,529), Sublette ($116,841) Sweetwater ($111,650), Teton ($192,459), Uinta ($117,856) and Weston ($111,447).
Wyoming DOR wrote that for the 2023 tax year, more than $14.2 million was refunded to 13,485 taxpayers through the property tax refund program, with an average refund of $1,058. Because this program is funded by the state, there is no negative impact to counties, schools or other taxing entities in the State, according to the DOR.
Taxpayers can apply online or obtain an application from a local County Treasurer’s offices across the state. Before applying for the refund, individuals must pay their 2024 taxes in full. Additional information on Wyoming’s property tax refund program, including detailed eligibility requirements and instructions for how to apply, is available by calling (307) 777-7320 or by visiting https://wptrs.wyo.gov/.
Long-Term Homeowners Exemption
An additional property tax relief program is the Long-Term Homeowners exemption, which was passed during the 2024 Legislative session. Eligible taxpayers can exempt half of the value of their property tax on a primary residence if they have paid residential property tax in Wyoming for 25 years or more and are age 65 or older. The deadline to file for the Long-Term Homeowners exemption is May 27, and applications must be filed with a local county assessor. A full list of Wyoming county assessors offices can be found here.
According to the AARP, this exemption could have negative financial impacts to counties, cities, schools and other taxing entities in Wyoming.
“The full impacts of this exemption won’t be known until later this summer,” AARP wrote in an announcement.
Property Tax Exemption
During the 2025 Legislative Session, the Wyoming Legislature passed Senate File 69 – Homeowner property tax exemption, which allows for a 25% exemption on the first $1 million in value of a primary residence and the associated land.
“There is no need to apply for this exemption,” AARP wrote. “It will simply show up on your assessment fee schedule.”
For 2026, owner-occupied homes will be eligible for this exemption, but homeowners will have to notify the county assessor that the home is owner-occupied. That process is still being developed.
Veterans Property Tax Exemption
The Veteran’s Property Tax Exemption Program has been doubled from $3,000 to $6,000 over the past two years. To qualify for the refund, applicants must have lived in Wyoming for at least three years.
A new exemption for the surviving spouse or parents of Gold Star veterans will take effect on July 1, 2025. A surviving spouse can continue to collect the benefit until he or she remarries. The deadline to apply is Monday, May 27.
