WORLAND — While residential property owners recently got their 2025 tax bills (unless it goes directly to their mortgage company), Washakie County Assessor Nancy Quinn said it is not too early for them to begin filing for their 2026 property tax exemptions.

Quinn said four exemptions are available — and three require action by property owners. 

The 4% homeowners cap does not require action by anyone and is automatically taken off property taxes. 

Quinn explained, “Residential property tax will only go up 4% based on the previous year’s valuation.” 

Next year will be the third year this cap exemption has been available.

New purchases within the tax year are not eligible for this exemption, she said. There is no sunset on this exemption, Quinn noted.

Long-term homeowners

The long-term homeowners exemption will be in its final year in 2026 unless the Wyoming Legislature takes action in the 2026 session. 

Quinn said the Interim Revenue Committee has not taken action on this yet.

The long-term homeowners exemption provides a 50% reduction of the assessed value of the primary residence and associated land (not to exceed 35 acres) to residents 65 years of age or older who have lived in the primary residence for at least eight months and paid property taxes in Wyoming for at least 25 years (does not have to be the same primary residence).

The deadline is the fourth Monday in May. 

Quinn said new applicants must fill out a two-page application form, but those who applied last year for the 2025 tax year, only have to fill out a simple affidavit. The same deadlines apply.

Applications must be turned in to the assessor’s office, and an ID card is required at the time it is submitted.  

Quinn noted that while there is sunset for this exemption, the Legislature could extend this during the 2026 session.

25% of the first $1 million

The biggest change for the 2026 year, Quinn said, is the 25% discount that was automatically discounted in 2025 but must be applied for in 2026. 

Quinn said the Legislature at first wanted people to apply, but with the assessor calendar that is set by regulation and statute there was not enough time to process what could have been up to 175,000 applications across the state.

Every residential structure received the 25% exemption for the 2025 taxes. The exemption is for 25% of the first $1 million of the fair market value of the residential property.

“That is not the case for 2026,” Quinn said. “For 2026 they have to live in the property and they have to live in it for eight months out of the year. It has to be their primary residency.”

Quinn said the revenue committee is looking at repealing the eight-month requirement.

Applications must be made online and can be made at https://ptd. wyo.gov/OWNEROCC. 

Applications are available now and the deadline for submission is Feb. 1.

Quinn said residents can only take one:  either the long-term homeowner exemption or the “25% of the first $1 million.”

Veterans

The fourth exemption is for veterans only. It is a longstanding exemption, but it must be signed up for every year. It reduces a veterans property tax by $6,000.

Quinn noted she had a few veterans in the county who did not have to pay any property taxes because of the exemption.

Veterans may call in to request the exemption if they have had it prior. Quinn said spouses of deceased veterans may also call in, noting they must reside in Wyoming.