Apply Now for Relief

District 3 Council Member Kay Hoogland

Apply Now for Relief: Property Tax Relief Programs Available to Ogden Valley Residents
By District 3 Council Member Kay Hoogland - 16 August 2026

Property taxes have been on everyone's mind in Ogden Valley this year, and I've heard from many residents — especially seniors and those on fixed incomes — worried about what they'll owe. The good news is that Utah and Weber County offer several relief programs, and many Ogden Valley homeowners may already qualify for one or more without knowing it. Here's a rundown of what's available, who qualifies, and how to apply.

A note on figures: income limits and benefit amounts below are set annually and adjust for inflation. The numbers here reflect 2026 figures published by Weber County. Always confirm current numbers with the Weber County Clerk/Auditor's office before applying.

1. Primary Residential Exemption (Almost Everyone Already Has This)

This is the big one, and most homeowners already receive it automatically. Under the Utah Constitution and state code, owner-occupied primary residences are exempt from tax on 45% of their fair market value — meaning you only pay property tax on 55% of what your home is worth.

Who qualifies: Anyone whose home is their primary residence (occupied at least 183 days a year). This applies to owners, an owner's spouse, family members, or even long-term tenants — but only one exemption per household statewide.
What doesn't qualify: Second homes, cabins, vacation properties, and short-term rentals (including STRs) are taxed at 100% of value, not 55%.
How to apply: Most residents don't need to do anything — the Assessor's Office applies it automatically. However, if the Weber County Assessor sends you a Residential Property Declaration (often triggered by a mailing address change or new purchase), you must return it within 90 days or risk losing the exemption. This is especially relevant in Ogden Valley, where many owners have a different mailing address than their physical property address.
Where: Weber County Assessor's Office, (801) 399-8572, or webercountyutah.gov/Assessor

2. Circuit Breaker / Homeowner's Tax Credit (Seniors and Widows/Widowers)

This is the primary relief program for seniors living on fixed or limited incomes.

Who qualifies:

Age 67 or older by December 31, 2026 (or any age if an unmarried widow/widower)
Recorded owner of the property as of January 1, 2026
Lived in Utah the entire 2026 calendar year
2025 total gross household income of $44,221 or less
Not claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return
Benefit: A 20% additional reduction in taxable value, plus a credit of up to $1,412 against taxes owed, depending on income.
Renters, too: Qualifying seniors who rent (rather than own) may be eligible for a partial refund of rent paid, since renters indirectly pay property tax through their rent. This is administered by the Utah State Tax Commission, not the county — call (801) 297-2200.
Documents needed: 2025 tax return or 1099s, Social Security benefit statements (SSA-1099) for all household members, and — if applying as a widow/widower under 67 — a copy of the spouse's death certificate.
Deadline: September 1, 2026 to have it applied before your October tax notice; final deadline December 31, 2026 (no extensions).

3. Abatement Program (Extreme Financial Hardship or Medical Disability)

This is a separate "poverty level" safety net for homeowners facing genuine hardship, regardless of age.

Who qualifies:

Recorded owner as of January 1, 2026, living in the home at least 10 months of 2026
2025 total gross household income of $42,623 or less
Must document either extreme financial hardship (a letter to the Tax Commission explaining the circumstances) or medical disability (a letter from a physician describing the nature and extent of the disability)
Benefit: A credit of up to $1,412, but capped at 50% of the current year's tax due after any other relief is applied.
Deadline: September 1, 2026.

4. Disabled Veteran Exemption

Who qualifies: Veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% or greater, or the unmarried surviving spouse or minor orphan child of a veteran who was disabled or died in the line of duty. Must be a recorded owner and the property must be your primary residence (real property or mobile home). Personal property, like a vehicle, can also qualify.
Benefit: Up to $535,459 of taxable value exempted from taxation — the exact amount scales with the veteran's combined disability rating, and for those killed in action, the exemption can cover the entire primary residence.
Ongoing requirement: Unlike other programs, this one doesn't require a brand-new application every year — but veterans must complete an annual online verification through the county's applicant portal.
Deadline: September 1, 2026 for new applicants.
5. Deployed Military Personnel Relief
Who qualifies: Service members who were on orders outside Utah for 200 days (consecutive or cumulative) within a 365-day period, with the 200th day falling in 2025.
What's needed: A copy of your travel voucher documenting departure and return dates.
Deadline: September 1, 2026.

6. Blind Exemption

Who qualifies: Individuals certified legally blind by a licensed ophthalmologist (first-time applicants), or the unmarried surviving spouse/minor orphan of a person who was blind. Must be a recorded owner as of January 1, 2025, and the property must be a primary residence.
Benefit: Up to $11,500 of taxable value exempted.
Deadline: September 1, 2026.

7. Senior Tax Deferral (Age 75+)

This program doesn't reduce your taxes — it postpones them.

Who qualifies: Age 75 or older by December 31, 2026, with no delinquent taxes, plus additional property-based requirements (contact the county for specifics — generally tied to how long you've owned and lived in the home).
Benefit: Property taxes are deferred rather than paid currently. The deferred amount accrues interest and becomes due when the property is sold or is no longer your primary residence — so this is best thought of as a loan against future equity, not forgiveness.
Deadline: September 1, 2026.

How and Where to Apply

Every one of these programs (except the annual veteran verification) requires a new application each year — qualifying last year does not carry forward automatically. Applications go to the Weber County Clerk/Auditor's Office, not to Ogden Valley City:

Address: 2380 Washington Blvd, Suite #320, Ogden, UT 84401
Phone: (801) 399-8489 (Tax Relief line) or (801) 399-8400 (front desk)
Email: [email protected]
Online: webercountyutah.gov/Clerk_Auditor/tax_relief.php — application forms for General Tax Relief, Tax Deferral, and Disabled Veteran Relief are posted there and can be submitted by email, mail, or in person.

The deadline for nearly all of these programs is September 1, 2026 to have relief reflected on your October tax notice, so if you think you or a family member — especially a senior, veteran, or someone facing a medical or financial hardship — might qualify, now is the time to gather your documents and apply. The Clerk/Auditor's staff are genuinely helpful in walking residents through the paperwork, so don't hesitate to call with questions.

As always, feel free to reach out to me directly with questions about how these programs affect Ogden Valley residents specifically.

Kay Hoogland serves District 3 on the Ogden Valley City Council. She also provides pro bono legal services to the city, under the supervision of the City Attorney.