Complying with precautions from the COVID-19 virus, Kootenai County residents eligible for property tax assistance through Idaho’s Circuit Breaker and VA programs may mail in their information prior to 5 p.m. April 15.

The county’s Property Tax Reduction “Circuit Breaker” program aims to make it easier for qualified homeowners to remain in their home by reducing their tax liability by as much as $1,320.

Any qualified applicant who fails to submit an application before the deadline must wait until January 2021 to apply. The Circuit Breaker program requires eligible property owners to apply for program benefits each year.

Eligible property owners must fit into one of the following categories as of Jan. 1, 2020: 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, and former prisoner of war or hostage.

Applicants must also have a total 2019 income — after deducting medical expenses — of $31,280 or less.

Some disabled veterans also qualify for a property tax benefit. Applicants must mail, fax, email or bring in to the assessor’s office a 2020 VA letter stating 100% Service Connected Disability.

The State of Idaho reimburses Kootenai County for the portion of property tax that isn’t collected from the homeowner. Anyone who hasn’t already come in and applied is strongly encouraged to contact the Kootenai County Assessor’s Office at 208-446-1500 or 446-1511.

Rich Houser, Kootenai County assessor, also asks anyone who may know of someone who might be eligible for the programs to ask them to call the office.

The Kootenai County Assessor’s Office is located at 451 Government Way on the second floor of the County Administration Building in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The public is strongly urged to call or email questions to the county assessor, rather than show up in person.

Information can be emailed to: [email protected] or faxed to 208-446-1501. Mail can be sent to the Assessor's Office, P.O. Box 9000, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816.