Nevada Property Tax Exemptions: Homestead, Senior and Veteran Relief

Nevada's official sources reviewed describe no general homestead exemption by that name. The main relief for an owner-occupied home is the partial tax abatement for a single-family residence that is the owner's primary residence, which limits the increase in the property tax bill over the prior year to 3%.

Claim the primary-residence abatement on a form provided by the county assessor of the county where the property is located, or on the declaration-of-value form filed when the property is transferred. Personal exemptions (veterans, surviving spouses, blind persons) are claimed with the county assessor; after an exemption is first allowed, the assessor mails a renewal form each year.

Claims for personal exemptions on real property must be filed with the county assessor on or before June 15; an initial claim for property acquired after June 15 and before July 1 is due by July 5.

Veterans' exemption: the first $2,000 of assessed valuation, adjusted each fiscal year for CPI increases since July 2003, for a bona fide Nevada resident who served at least 90 consecutive days on active duty in specified periods and was honorably discharged (or is still serving). Disabled veterans' exemption (permanent service-connected disability, honorably discharged): the first $20,000 of assessed valuation for total permanent disability, $15,000 for 80-99% and $10,000 for 60-79%, also CPI-adjusted from July 2003. A veteran may receive only one of the two. The surviving spouse of a disabled veteran qualifies if married to and living with the veteran for the 5 years before death, has not remarried and is a Nevada resident. The exemption can be used in only one county and may instead be applied to vehicle Governmental Services Tax or other personal property tax, or donated to the Gift Account for Veterans' Homes. Apply through the county assessor's office.

Property of a blind person is exempt up to $3,000 of assessed valuation, adjusted annually for inflation. Surviving spouses (not limited to veterans' spouses) may exempt up to $1,000 of assessed valuation, adjusted annually for inflation starting with fiscal year 2005-2006; the exemption ends in any fiscal year beginning after remarriage.

For a single-family residence that is the owner's primary residence, a partial abatement limits the increase in the tax bill to 3% over the prior year's tax.

Appeal the assessed valuation to the county board of equalization on or before January 15 of the fiscal year in which the assessment was made (both for assessments higher than comparable property and where full cash value is below taxable value).

Real property taxes are due on the third Monday of August. Owners who elect to pay in installments pay the second installment on the first Monday of October, the third on the first Monday of January and the fourth on the first Monday of March.