Exemption & Deferment Applications
Completed applications must be mailed (postmarked prior to the date specified below) to the address listed on the application.
- Applications for the Homeowner, Volunteer FF/EMS or Disabled Resident Exemptions must be delivered to the Assessor’s Office, or postmarked on or before JANUARY 15 of the application year.
- Applications for the Senior Citizen or Disabled Veteran Exemptions must be delivered to the Assessor’s Office, or postmarked on or before MARCH 31 of the application year.
Residential Exemptions & Deferments
The Kenai Peninsula Borough has various property tax exemptions and deferments that are available to its residents. Exemptions are available on a single parcel of real property owned and occupied as the primary residence and permanent place of abode by a resident for at least 185 days per year. The applicant must be the owner of record as of January 1st of the year applied. Residential Exemptions are AUTOMATICALLY REMOVED from a parcel when the Assessing Department receives notice of a change of address outside the borough.
Click on the name of each exemption below for more details and a link to the application.
Homeowner/$50,000 Exemption
The Homeowner/$50,000 exemption applies to the owner (resident) of a permanent place of abode, including mobile homes, and is subtracted from the assessed value of the property before borough taxes are calculated. This exemption requires a one-time filing by the owner of record, which remains in effect until there is a change in ownership or occupancy. Owners are responsible for notifying the Assessor if they begin renting the property or no longer meet the borough's residency or occupancy requirement (at least 185 days). Applications for the exemption are due by January 15 each year. Once approved, owners do not need to reapply annually as long as they continue to meet the occupancy requirement. If an absence is due to medical reasons, the exemption may still be granted with satisfactory evidence provided to the Assessor.
Download Homeowner/$50,000 Exemption Application
Senior Citizen Exemption
The Senior Citizen Exemption provides up to $300,000 in assessed value exemption for the primary residence and residential land use of qualifying seniors. To be eligible, the applicant must be 65 years of age or older (or surviving spouse age 60 or older), own and occupy the property as their primary residence, and qualify for an Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend. Proof of age (e.g., birth certificate) must be provided with the initial filing. Applications are due by March 31 of the year being applied for, and this exemption requires a one-time filing. However, for parcels within the boundaries of Homer, Kenai, Seldovia, Seward, or Soldotna, city tax will still be calculated on assessed values exceeding $150,000. The exemption will be automatically removed when the Assessing Department receives notice of a change of address outside the borough.
Download Senior Citizen Exemption Application
Disabled Veterans Exemption
The Disabled Veteran Exemption is available for residential real property owned and occupied by a resident who is a disabled veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 50% or more by the Veterans Administration. The exemption requires a one-time filing by the owner of record and remains in effect until ownership or occupancy changes. However, applicants must submit a current VA letter confirming their disability rating each year; failure to do so will result in the removal of the exemption. Applications are due by March 31 of the year being applied for. The exemption applies to the value of the primary residence and residential use of land, but city tax will still be calculated on assessed values exceeding $150,000 for parcels within the boundaries of Homer, Kenai, Seldovia, or Seward. Exemptions are automatically removed if the Assessing Department receives notice of a change of address outside the borough.
Download Disabled Veteran Exemption Application
Disabled Resident Exemption (Applied as a Tax Credit)
The Disabled Resident Exemption provides a maximum of $500 toward property taxes each year for residents determined to be totally disabled by the U.S. Social Security Program, Federal Civil Service System, Postal Employees Retirement System, Civil Service Retirement System, or any State Public Employees Retirement System. The exemption requires annual filing by the owner of record, with a letter verifying the disability status submitted each year at the time of filing. Renewal application forms are mailed in November to previous filers, and the completed application is due by January 15. Written evidence of the disability determination must accompany the application for the exemption each year.
Download Disabled Resident Exemption Application
Volunteer Firefighter / EMS Provider Exemption
The $10,000 exemption is available annually to active volunteers of a recognized First Responder Service, Registered Fire Department, or Ambulance Service in the borough, who hold an EMS or Firefighting certificate approved by the State of Alaska. The exemption applies to up to two qualified applicants per parcel and exempts up to $10,000 in assessed value of the property. To apply, volunteers must submit an annual application by January 15, with renewal forms mailed in November to previous applicants. The Fire or EMS Chief of each department must verify the active status of each volunteer.
Download Volunteer Firefighter / EMS Provider Exemption Application
Other Exemptions & Deferments
Conservation Easement
Land on which a conservation easement has been granted in perpetuity to a qualifying non-profit agency or corporation. Land will be assessed at the full and true value remaining after the easement take. Applications must be filed with the assessor before May 15 each year in which the assessment is desired.
Download Conservation Easement Application
Community Purpose Exemption
Property of an organization not organized for business or profit-making purposes and used exclusively for community purposes. Due March 31.
Download Community Purpose Exemption Application
Non-Profit Exemption
Property used exclusively for nonprofit religious, charitable, cemetery, hospital, or educational purposes. Due March 31.
Download Non-Profit Exemption Application
Cemetery Exemption
Disaster Relief Abatement
Claim for reduction of assessments and the abatement of taxes resulting from damaged real or personal property resulting from an eligible disaster. File within 60 days of Disaster.
Download Disaster Relief Abatement Application
Vessel Repair Exemption
Renewable Energy System
Please contact the Assessing office for more details.
Economic Development Exemption
Senior Hardship Application
Application for property tax exemption in case of hardship. Due July 1.
Download Senior Hardship Application
Farm Use Assessment (AS 29.45.060)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION – YOU MUST READ PRIOR TO SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION AS THE STATUTE ALLOWING FARM USE ASSESSMENT HAS CHANGED
SUBMISSION OF YOUR APPLICATION INDICATES THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THESE REQUIREMENTS
Eligible Farmers, the annual application period for FARM USE DEFERRAL is open,
The 2024 Legislative Session changed statute which allows Farm Use Assessment, the application definition of “Farm Use” and “livestock" income requirements and deadline date were changed.
FARM USE is defined by statue as “the use of land for production of crops, fruits, or other agricultural products for human or animal consumption or for the sustenance or grazing of livestock”.
LIVESTOCK is defined by state statute as “cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, pigeons, and other poultry raised to provide meat or other products for human consumption”.
To QUALIFY, “farm land and farm structures must be used exclusively for farming activity, or purposes directly related to farm activity. The farm land or structure must be owned or leased by a person who is actively engaged in farming, and owner or lessee must sell at least $2,500 of agricultural products produced from the land during the tax year and file an IRS Schedule F (Form 1040)”. You must certify that the Schedule F (Form 1040) submitted with the application is the same Schedule F (form 1040) that was submitted to the IRS for the current tax year.
Fully complete the attached application and submit the required documentation to our office ON OR BEFORE MAY 15, 2025 to be eligible to qualify.
By signing the application, you are certifying that the submitted Schedule F (Form 1040) is the same Schedule F submitted to the IRS for the applicable tax year.
Acceptable IRS filings.
Form 1040 & Schedule F
Form 1040-SR & Schedule F
Form 1040-SS & Schedule F
Form 1040-NR & Schedule F
Form 1041 & Schedule F
Form 1065 & Schedule F
Submit your original signed application, required income documentation, any lease documentation if any portion of your property is leased (if leased both owner of record and lessee must sign the application) to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assessing Department. Applications must be received in our office ON OR BEFORE MAY 15, 2025. Be aware your application MUST BE DENIED if the application is incomplete, you have not filed for the current tax year with the IRS, application is missing any required documentation at the time of submission, or does not meet the income threshold.
A staff appraiser from our office will contact you to schedule an inspection of your property once the application has been received. You are advised to read through the attached documentation and be aware of all eligibility guidelines so there are no misunderstandings about this state program, AS 29.45.0630 is provided with the application packet. If you have further questions that our office is unable to answer and that are not explained within these documents, you are advised to reach out to the State Assessor at 907-269-4565.