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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB169

Municipal Property Tax Exemption for Seniors and Veterans

Last scannedSep 20, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill increases the property tax exemption amount to $250,000 for eligible seniors, disabled veterans, and their widows or widowers in Alaska.

What it does

  • Increases the home value exempt from municipal taxes from $150,000 to $250,000.
  • Allows municipalities with voter-approved ordinances to grant exemptions to widows or widowers under age 60 if their spouse was a disabled veteran or died from service-connected causes.
  • Permits local governments to offer tax breaks beyond the standard limit in cases of financial hardship according to department regulations.
  • Requires that only one person can claim this exemption for any single property.

Who it affects

  • Residents aged 65 or older who own and live in their primary home.
  • Disabled veterans who own and occupy their permanent residence.
  • Widows or widowers of eligible seniors or disabled veterans, including those under age 60 if local rules allow.

Limits and unknowns

  • Local governments must decide their own rules and application steps if they choose to offer these exemptions.
  • Properties transferred mainly to get this tax break are not eligible after an official review by the assessor.
  • The bill does not specify which municipalities will adopt the new exemption amounts or expanded eligibility.

Plain language

Terms to know

Municipality
A city, borough, or town that can set its own tax rules through voter-approved ordinances for certain exemptions.
Assessed value
The official dollar amount assigned to a property used to calculate the $250,000 exemption limit.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION An Act relating to a municipal property tax exemption for real property owned and occupied as the primary residence and permanent place of abode by a resident 65 years of age or older, a disabled veteran, or the widow or widower of a resident 65 years of age or older or a disabled veteran; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) REFERRED TO COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS596
  2. (H) CRA, FIN596
  3. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS596