Property Tax

SDCL 10-4-24.10 states that dwellings or parts of multiple family dwellings which are specifically designed for use by paraplegics as wheelchair homes and which are owned and occupied by veterans with the loss, or loss of use, of both lower extremities, or by the unremarried widow or widower of such veteran, are exempt from taxation.The dwelling must be owned and occupied by the veteran for one full calendar year before the exemption becomes effective. For purposes of this statute, the term "dwelling" generally means real estate in an amount not to exceed one acre upon which the building is located.

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SDCL 10-4-40 states: 10-4-40. Partial exemption of dwellings owned by certain disabled veterans. One hundred fifty thousand dollars of the full and true value of the total amount of a dwelling or portion thereof classified as owner-occupied pursuant to §§ 10-13-39 to 10-13-40.4, inclusive, that is owned and occupied by a veteran who is rated as permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability is exempt from property taxation. The veteran shall apply for this partial exemption on a form prescribed by the secretary of revenue. Any application or supporting document for this exemption is confidential. Any veteran who would otherwise qualify for this exemption but fails to comply with the application deadline for the owner-occupied classification or the deadline for application for this exemption may petition the board of county commissioners to recalculate the taxes based upon the owner-occupied classification and this exemption and abate or refund the difference in taxes pursuant to chapter 10-18. If the director of equalization determines that the veteran receives an exemption for the veteran's dwelling pursuant to this section, the veteran retains that exemption until such time as the property ownership is transferred, the veteran does not occupy the dwelling, or the property has a change in use. If the legal description of property is changed or amended and the veteran continues to reside in the dwelling, the veteran retains the exemption provided by this section.

SDCL 10-4-41 states: 10-4-41. Partial exemption for owner-occupied dwellings of surviving spouses of certain veterans. One hundred fifty thousand dollars of the full and true value of the total amount of a dwelling, or portion thereof, classified as owner-occupied pursuant to §§ 10-13-39 to 10-13-40.4, inclusive, is exempt from property taxation if owned and occupied by: (1) The surviving spouse of a veteran who was rated as permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability; or (2) The surviving spouse of a veteran, who receives dependency and indemnity compensation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a result of the veteran's service-connected death. The surviving spouse shall apply for this partial exemption on a form prescribed by the secretary of revenue. Any application or supporting document for this exemption is confidential. Any surviving spouse who would otherwise qualify for this exemption but fails to comply with the application deadline for the owner-occupied classification or the deadline for application for this exemption may petition the board of county commissioners to recalculate the taxes based upon the owner-occupied classification and this exemption and abate or refund the difference in taxes pursuant to chapter 10-18. If the director of equalization determines that the surviving spouse receives an exemption for the dwelling pursuant to this section, the surviving spouse retains that exemption until such time as the property ownership is transferred, the surviving spouse does not occupy the dwelling, the surviving spouse remarries, or the property has a change in use. If the legal description of property is changed or amended and the surviving spouse continues to reside in the dwelling, the surviving spouse retains the exemption provided by this section.

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SDCL 10-18A-1 to 10-18A-7 states that certain low income property owners are eligible for a property tax refund and should check with their county treasurer for details and assistance in making application.
To qualify the following conditions must be met:

1. The head of the household must be sixty-five years of age, or older, or shall be disabled prior to January first of the year in which taxes are levied;
2. The applicant must have owned the property for at least three years or, have been a resident of this state at least five years if not qualified under the three year ownership criteria.

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