Idaho State Taxes

Most of Idaho's tax revenues come from income tax, sales or use tax, and property tax. Income tax and sales or use tax is collected by the Idaho State Tax Commission. Property taxes are assessed and collected by the county where the property is located. The following information gives some general information about each of the taxes:

Sales Or Use Tax

A sales tax of 5% applies to the sale, rental or lease of tangible personal property and some services. Food is taxed, but prescription drugs are not. Hotel, motel, and campground accommodations are taxed at a rate of 7% to 11%. While most cities and counties do not impose sales tax, some small resort cities.

Personal Income Tax

Individual income tax are based on a sliding scale with higher earnings being taxed at a higher rate. Rates range between 2.0% and 8.2%. The first $1,000 of taxable income is taxed a 2%, the next $1,000 is taxed at 4%, etc. The maximum 8.2% tax rate is reached at $20,000 of taxable income for single filers and $40,000 for married couples filing jointly. Idaho residents are taxed on their total income, even if it is earned in another state or country.

Most wage earners have income tax withheld by their employers. Credits to offset income tax due include a $15 grocery credit ($30 for persons age 64 or over), credit for tax paid to other states, and credits for donations to Idaho educational entities and some nonprofit youth and rehabilitation facilities. A deduction from taxable income is allowed for deposits into a medical savings account. Social Security income and Tier 1 and Tier 2 Railroad Retirement benefits are not taxed. Full-year residents may receive a partial tax exemption for civil service and military retirement income received after age 65 or 62 if disabled. The $15 grocery credit is refundable to persons over 62 who are not required to file an income tax return. This credit is doubled for persons over 65.

Property Tax

The following rates and descriptions were derived from State averages.

State Average Urban Rate: 1.6847%
State Average Rural Rate: 1.1773%

A rough estimate of property taxes can be calculated by multiplying the average tax rate by the property value, less exemptions. The actual tax rate is the sum of the tax rates of all the taxing districts in one location. Owner-occupied primary residences in Idaho qualify for a homeowner's exemption which exempts 50% or $50,000, whichever is less, of the taxable value of the home excluding land. Farms qualify for a partial exemption. Circuit Breaker property tax reduction of up to $1,100 is available to persons age 65 and older, or widowed or disabled persons of any age who meet income and residence requirements.