Checks are in the mail for Jefferson County taxpayers this season, thanks to the state's Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights Amendment, known as TABOR. This constitutional provision mandates that any tax revenue collected over a predefined cap has to be returned to taxpayers unless there's a vote to let the government keep it. According to Jefferson County, they've found themselves with about $30.5 million more than the limit set for the fiscal year 2023, triggering refunds for 211,000 property taxpayers.
The county had a few options on how to handle the refund and settled on mailing checks directly. They believed this straightforward approach was the best way to ensure every taxpayer got their due. Jerry DiTullio, the Jefferson County Treasurer, explained the selection process. With the refund slated to be divided equitably among all property taxpayers, ranging from homeowners to business owners everyone should be looking at a bit of extra cash. Most checks will be for $200 or less, covering about 93% of taxpayers, while the median amount of $86 suggests that half of the recipients will see even less.
This fall, Jeffco residents can expect a small financial boost. The Treasurer's Office has provided some important details, the average refund will be around $145. If you receive a refund check for less than $200, you can cash it directly at the Treasurer's Office, just remember to bring a valid ID. Also, if you're considering returning that check, please note that the county cannot accept it back, so it’s best to keep it.
While the refund process is generally being hailed as transparent and fair, there are logistical matters to consider. These include printing, handling, and mailing thousands of checks. It’s an involved process, but the Treasurer's Office is encouraging residents to cash their checks without delay. "The funds cannot be used by the county," DiTullio said, as per Jefferson County, reminding taxpayers of the significance of putting these checks to personal use.
