This bill amends Section 63-602G of the Idaho Code, which pertains to property tax exemptions for homesteads. Key changes include the requirement for homeowners to provide their Idaho state-issued driver's license or identification card number on the application form, unless they meet specific qualifications outlined in the bill. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the exemption will be effective on the date of application, rather than upon approval, and it introduces a provision that allows homeowners to retain their exemption even if they are absent due to active military service or in the event of their death, as long as the homestead remains part of their estate.

The bill also establishes a new requirement for the state tax commission to create a searchable database of all active exemptions by July 1, 2023, to ensure that multiple exemptions are not claimed by the same individual and to verify residency for voting purposes. Furthermore, it includes provisions for the recovery of improperly claimed exemptions, detailing the process for investigation, notification, and potential penalties for taxpayers who claim more than one homestead exemption. The bill declares an emergency, making it effective immediately upon passage and retroactively applicable to January 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 63-602G