While property tax refunds have been available from the state due to efforts from the Wyoming Legislature, Lincoln County also has funds available for those seeking relief.
“In the state statutes it provides for every county to adopt their own property tax refund if they choose,” said Lincoln County Treasurer Jerry Greenfield. “Lincoln is one of the few to move forward with that. The criteria is the same that the state provides. You can’t exceed 100 percent of the tax that you’ve paid in. This program deadline date is October 14, 2024. The checks will go out no later than December 30. As soon as the deadline is passed we will start processing those refunds.”
According to Greenfield, homeowners will get in essence a matching percentage from the county as they did the state.
“If they received more than the 50 percent of their property tax they will get the difference meaning they get up to 100 percent,” he said. “But if they received a little less, then this refund will match that equally.”
He encouraged anyone interested in taking advantage of the county funds set aside for property tax relief to start their process.
“Stop by the office in Kemmerer or Afton and pick up an application,” he said. “They need a copy of their 2023 income tax return and a copy of their receipts. We can provide those if they need them.”
The application is also available online at lincolncountywy.gov.
While all counties in Wyoming are capable of providing a refund pool, Lincoln County is one of the few that are actually doing it.
“These are not state funds, they come from the county,” Greenfield added. “That’s the reason there are so few counties doing this. It’s not that Lincoln County is that wealthy, its that we have those [strong] feelings for property taxes and we’ve cut back in other areas in order to fund this program.”
A total of $550,000 is what has been targeted for refunds according to Greenfield. “If it goes more, we will come up with it,” he said.
The issue of property taxes and the process of getting some of your money back may seem daunting. Greenfield says it is not as bad as it may seem and that the county has staff to help you get your paperwork completed.
“If you have any questions whatsoever or don’t understand, these people or myself are more than happy to hep you fill them out,” he concluded. “Don’t hesitate because you think it’s complicated. It’s quite simple and we will help you.”
