After seeing the results of this election, some of you might be thinking that since the 50% property tax reduction proposal was defeated, the senior reduction is off the table as well.

That is not the case. Proposition 1, which was defeated on November 3, was a new proposal for a reduction, while the 50% reduction for long-term homeowners aged 65 and older remains intact as a separate law.

The voting results, according to unofficial tallies from the Secretary of State's office, were 105,200 votes against and 80,031 votes in favor. The difference was larger than expected.

This year, the change actually affects the long-term resident reduction. HB 45, which passed in the 2026 session, went into effect on July 1 and eliminated the sunset clause.

If you're unfamiliar with the sunset clause, think of it as a predetermined expiration date set in the law. Since that date has been removed, you no longer have to worry about it disappearing every year.

There are three conditions. First, the homeowner or their spouse must be 65 years or older.

Second, the homeowner or their spouse must have paid property taxes on residential real estate in Wyoming for at least 25 years.

It does not have to be the same house. The law states that it can be any residential property, so if you paid for 15 years in Casper and 10 years in Cheyenne, that adds up to 25 years.

On the other hand, taxes paid in other states do not count. If you retired and moved here after living in another state for a long time, you need to start counting from the time you paid taxes in Wyoming.

Third, the house must be your primary residence, meaning it must be your actual home. The law specifies that it must be a house where you live for at least 8 months a year.

If you spend long winters in a warm place, consider this 8-month requirement. If you sold a house and moved within Wyoming, you can combine the months lived in both houses.

There are cases where a qualified individual has passed away. The surviving spouse can still qualify for the reduction even if they do not meet the conditions alone.

The benefit is that 50% of the fair market value is exempt from taxation, applicable to the first $3 million. Before HB 45, the basis was assessed value, but this wording has changed.

To illustrate, let's assume a house has a market value of $400,000.

Wyoming residential real estate is taxed at 9.5% of the market value. Without any reduction, the taxable amount would be $38,000.

If you qualify for the long-term resident reduction, $200,000 is deducted, bringing the taxable amount down to $19,000. For the general homeowner 25% reduction, it would be $28,500, resulting in a difference of $9,500.

The actual tax amount is calculated by multiplying this taxable amount by the mill levy. The mill levy is essentially the tax applied per $1,000 of the taxable amount, and it varies by district, so you need to check your bill.

Both reductions cannot be received together for the same house in the same year. If eligible, I would choose the long-term resident reduction.

Now for the most important date. The application deadline has been moved up from the fourth Monday in May to March 1.

Last spring, the Laramie County deadline was May 26, so if you go by that memory, you might miss it. This is the most concerning point in this revision.

According to the Laramie County Assessor's notice, the application period for 2027 is from October 1, 2026, to March 1, 2027. Applications are already being accepted.

Applications are made at the Assessor's office. The address is 309 W 20th St, Suite 1100, and the phone number is 307-633-4307.

When applying for the first time, you need to submit a sworn statement on the state tax form disclosing ownership, age, 25 years of payment, and residency status. There are penalties for false reporting.

It is not specified what documents will be required. It's advisable to organize your previous addresses and ownership periods and call ahead before going.

If you have already applied, that's not the end of it. Each year by March 1, you must inform the Assessor's office by phone or mail that you still qualify.

I would mark it on my calendar for the first week of January. It would be a shame to miss out on a half reduction just because of a phone call.

If one spouse is over 65 and the payment record is under the other spouse's name, don't make assumptions alone. It's best to ask the Assessor's office first.

If you are a veteran or a surviving spouse, there is a separate Veterans reduction available. It exempts $6,000 from the assessed value, and the application for Laramie County for 2027 is due by May 24, but check with the office if it can be received alongside the long-term reduction.

If your income is limited, consider the state Property Tax Refund Program. AARP Wyoming advises that you can apply for this program even after receiving the long-term reduction.

According to the tax office guidelines, income must be below 145% of the higher of the county or state median household income, and assets must be below $156,900 per adult. The deadline is the first Monday in June. The refund site may show different asset limits, so check with the tax office (307-777-7320).

In summary, regardless of the defeat of Prop 1, this reduction continues. If you are over 65 and have lived in Wyoming for 25 years, you need to act by March 1.

This article is based on the original texts of HB 45 and SF 69, notices from the Laramie County Assessor, state tax office guidelines, and unofficial election results from early November. Please verify with the Assessor's office as individual circumstances may vary.