Tax Assistance Programs

turn to Director of Equalization

Owner Occupancy Credit

Owner occupancy makes a property eligible for a reduced levy for school general fund taxes.

To qualify:

• you must own and live in the dwelling for which you are applying for owner occupancy.
• you must not claim any other property as a principle residence

Form: Owner Occupancy     Owner Occupancy for Contractors

Forms must be filed with the Department of Equalization by March 15th.

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The Property Tax Reduction for Disabled Veterans Program

To qualify:

• the veteran must have been rated permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability based on the established rating schedule used by the Veteran’s Affairs Rating Board
• property must be owned and occupied by the disabled veteran
• property must be classified as owner occupied

Proof of disability can be obtained by calling the Sioux Falls VA Regional Office at 1-800-827-1000 and requesting that they send you a statement verifying that you are permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability(ies). Copies of these forms must be included in the application. We also have a local Veterans Services Officer, Dan. His contact information can be found here.

Application: Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption Form

The application is filed with the Department of Equalization in Hot Springs. The form must be filed on or before November 1st for the following assessment year and the taxes payable in the next year. Example: An application by November 1, 2018 is for the 2019 assessment year, and the property taxes payable in 2020.

Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled

The Freeze on Assessments Program prevents the homeowner’s property from increasing in value, for tax purposes. This means that as the value of the home increases, the homeowner will pay tax on the former (lower) value. Property is defined as the house, garage, and the lot upon which it sits, or one acre, whichever is less.

To qualify:

• you must be 65 year of age or older, or disabled
• you must own the home or have retained a life estate in the property
• your federal gross income plus any income not included in that figure (this includes Social Security Payments) must be lower than:
  • $29,071.25 for single member household (2020 value, values change every year)
  • $36,339.36 for multiple member household (2020 value, values change every year)
• The full and true market value of the property must be less than $199,550.55 unless the applicant has received the assessment freeze in a preceding year on that property.

Form: Assessment Freeze for the Elderly & Disabled
Forms should be turned in to the Fall River County Treasurer on or before April 1st. The assessment freeze must be applied for yearly. Questions concerning applications and income should be directed to the Treasurer at 605-745-5145.

New Construction Tax Incentive

Fall River County has the following tax incentive for agricultural and commercial buildings.

To qualify:

• New construction or renovations to agricultural buildings exceeding $10,000
• or
• New construction or renovations to commercial buildings exceeding $30,000
• Structures must be on a permanent foundation
• Residential structures of 4 or more units also qualify

Benefits:

• For new construction: the first four years following construction the taxes will be calculated at 20%, 40%, 60% & 80% of the building value.
• For renovation: the first four years following renovation will be taxed at 20%, 40%, 60% & 80% of the change in value. If the building was initially valued at $100,000 and after renovation it is valued at $140,000 then the partial taxes (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%) will be paid on the $40,000 of added value.

IN THE FIFTH YEAR PROPERTIES WILL GO TO FULL VALUE. For further information see Resolution 2020-40.

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The Paraplegic Reduction Program

The reduction program is operated using a graduated income scale on income earned in the previous year. See following tables for information. Widows and widowers are aslo eligible for this program.

To qualify:

• the paraplegic applicant must own or occupy their property, or the unremarried widow / widower of such paraplegic.
• the applicant must meet the income guidelines shown in the tables above

Form: Paraplegic Property Tax Reduction Form

Forms must be filed yearly with the Department of Equalization in Hot Springs on or by November 1st.

The Paraplegic Veteran’s Exemption

The exemption program exempts a veteran’s property from all property taxes. The injury to the applicant does not have to be service related in order to qualify for the program. Widows and widowers of veterans are also eligible for the exemption program.

To qualify:

• the paraplegic veteran applicant must own the property for which they are seeking an exemption

Form: Paraplegic Veteran Property Tax Exemption Form

Forms must be filed yearly with the Department of Equalization in Hot Springs on or by November 1st.

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Tax Exempt Status for Private Organizations

This exemption is for religious, charitable, benevolent, non-profit healthcare, and education groups. If you think your organization may qualify please contact the Department of Equalization at (605) 745-5136. This exemption must be applied for yearly, applications are due by November 1st. Organizations that recieved tax exempt status the previous year will be sent forms to renew their status.

Renewable Resource Energy Assessment Credit

This is an assessment credit, not a tax credit. The deduction comes off the assessed value. This six year credit begins upon the completion of the energy system. The amount of credit is the difference in the assessed value with the system installed versus the assessed value without the system (having a regular heating/cooling system).

Year 1, 2, and 3 – the credit will be the difference in the assessed values as described above
Year 4 – the credit will be 75% of the base
Year 5 – the credit will be 50% of the base
Year 6 – the credit will be 25% of the base

Six years after installation of the system the credit expires.

Application: Renewable Resource Energy Assessment Credit

Applications must be filed between November 1 and December 10. The application only needs to be made once. Applications should be filed with the Department of Equalization in Hot Springs.