A thank you for their service

When it comes to honoring veterans and their service to the United States, there are various ways in which people, businesses and organizations show their respect.

It can be a “thank you” in passing on the street, a dinner honoring their service or a business offering discounts. One way in which the State of Wyoming and county assessors show their appreciation for someone’s service is through a veteran’s exemption for either property taxes or vehicle licensing.

How does it work?

According to information from the Carbon County Assessor’s Office, the Wyoming State Legislature each year budgets funding to assist veterans of foreign wars in paying their property taxes. Those exemptions are administered by the assessor’s office based on both state statute and rules and regulations from the Department of Revenue.

Who can qualify?

Veterans who have been Wyoming residents for a minimum of three years prior to receiving the exemption are eligible as are those who have written documentation of an honorable discharge, also known as a DD-214. Per Wyoming State Statute 39-11-105(a)(xxiv), qualifying dates of service for the exemption are:

• December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 (World War II)
• June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955 (Korean War)
• February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War)

Veterans can also qualify if they were awarded the following medals:

• Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• Kosovo Campaign Medal
• Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
• NATO Medal - Kosovo/Yugoslavia
• Navy Expeditionary Medal
• Southwest Asia Service Medal

Additionally, a disabled veteran who has a compensable service connected disability which has been certified by the Veterans’ Administration is eligible regardless of the time they served. The surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran may also be eligible to continue the exemption, so long as they continue to reside in Wyoming and do not remarry.

What’s the exemption?

Whether it is being used on property tax for a primary residence or vehicle licensing, the exemption reduces either by 3,000 assessed dollars. In the case of property tax exemptions, it will reduce the amount by approximately $213.00, though the tax dollar amount will vary depending on the mill levy for tax districts.

Each new veteran is required to appear in person at the Carbon County Assessor’s Office to qualify. Any eligible property may have multiple owners as long as the veteran or spouse is listed. Veterans are required to contact the assessor’s office each year between January 1 and the 4th Monday in May.

For licensing a vehicle—not the sales tax—the reduction is approximately $90. Multiple vehicles may qualify, providing they do not exceed $90 per year in exemptions. Title, registration or an expiration reminder showing either the veteran’s name or the name of their spouse is required prior to buying tags for exemption usage. Any new vehicle purchases must be titled before qualifying, leased vehicles do not qualify.

For more information, contact the Carbon County Assessor’s Office at 307-328-2637.