Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy: House Bill 389 and Idaho’s Property Tax Circuit Breaker
ITEP Work in ActionHouse Bill 389 is a complicated bill that would affect many different components of the Idaho property tax statute. Revenue from property taxes, both for real property and business personal property, support local public services – such as roads, courts, and schools. Property taxes are regressive, meaning they fall harder on lower-income Idahoans than others. The state property tax reduction program, commonly known as the “circuit breaker” is a highly targeted tool that shields older and disabled Idahoans and widows who are the most affected at a time of soaring home prices and stagnating wages.