Laramie County Assessor: Veteran's Exemptions

The exemption is Wyoming's, granted by W.S. 39-11-105(a)(xxiv) to the persons W.S. 39-13-105 describes; the State entry sets out the statute. The Laramie County Assessor's Veteran's Exemptions page is the county's own working of it, and it is unusually explicit about the arithmetic and the calendar. Amounts. The exemption "may be used on property tax and it reduces the assessed valuation by 6000 assessed dollars annually. The tax dollar amount varies depending on mill levy for tax district. Approximate amount $424.00." Or it can go to vehicles: "County fees for licensing a vehicle (not sales tax) may be reduced by 6000 assessed dollars (approximately $90.00) annually. More than one vehicle may qualify, not to exceed a total of $180.00 per year." A title, registration or expiration reminder showing the veteran's or spouse's name is required before buying tags; new purchases must be titled before qualifying, and leased vehicles do not qualify. The page records that the old $800 lifetime maximum was removed effective January 1, 2007, and the exemption may be used on real estate or vehicles. Who qualifies. Veterans who are bona fide Wyoming residents for a minimum of three years preceding qualifying; who have a written discharge (DD-214 or equivalent) from active duty; and who served during an armed conflict and received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or equivalent. Separately, a disabled veteran with a compensable service-connected disability certified by the VA or a branch of the armed forces is eligible regardless of the time of service. A surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran may continue the exemption if they reside in Wyoming and do not remarry. Eligible property must be owned by the veteran and or spouse as of January 1st. The process. "Each Veteran must appear in person at their local County Assessor's office to qualify." Forms are available in the Assessor's office. Veterans must contact the Assessor each year after January 1st or before the 4th Monday in May. The page also reproduces W.S. 39-13-105's list of qualifying service, from the Indian Wars, Spanish American War and First World War through the Second World War, Korea, Vietnam and the AFEM/armed-conflict test, alongside the disabled-veteran path.