The amount of tax is determined from the budget needs of the taxing districts. There are many kinds of taxing districts in Idaho. Some, like cities and counties, levy taxes to provide a wide range of services. Others levy taxes for specific purposes like highways, schools, or fire protection.

Officials for each taxing district determine the annual budget needed to provide services for the district. The approved budget is divided by the total taxable value of all properties within the district.

The result is the district’s tax rate. This rate, multiplied by the taxable value of your property, determines the amount of taxes you owe to the district.

Every property is located within several independent-taxing districts. This means your property tax bill includes taxes for all the districts in which you live. This combination of taxing districts is known as a “tax code area.” Each of these areas is assigned a number which appears on your assessment notice and tax bill. Within each tax code area, the total tax rate is generally the same for all properties.

The taxable value of your property determines how much tax you pay in relation to other properties. Assessments must be accurate for all taxpayers to pay their fair share of the total property taxes.

You should usually receive your tax bill by the end of November. Contact your county treasurer if you have questions about your tax bill. 

You may live in a different taxing district than your neighbor. Also, your property may appear similar to your neighbor’s at first glance, but there may be enough differences in land size, square footage of homes, quality or condition of land that will result in value differences between properties.

Also, your neighbor may be eligible for some form of property tax reduction for which you either did not qualify or did not apply.