Disabled veterans may be getting a big property tax break in California
This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
SACRAMENTO — Severely disabled veterans in California could be getting an expanded tax break.State lawmakers are considering legislation that would exempt from taxation 50% of the residential property owned by a fully disabled veteran, or 100% if their household income does not exceed $40,000.“I’ve seen firsthand the financial challenges many disabled veterans face just trying to stay in their homes,” Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez (R-Indio) said Thursday.
“We always say we support our veterans, but support has to mean taking meaningful action to make life more affordable for them.”Gonzalez, who introduced Assembly Bill 2022, is a Marine Corps veteran and vice chair of the Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.The legislation would apply only to veterans who became disabled as a result of their military service.
It defines a fully disabled veteran as one who is blind in both eyes, has lost the use of at least two limbs, or is otherwise incapacitated due to an injury or disease.Surviving spouses would be eligible for the same exemptions, provided they do not remarry.
The exemptions would sunset in 2032 so legislators could review the bill’s effect before deciding whether to enact the policy permanently.California is home to more than 1.8 million former service members, which is the largest veteran population of any state in the nation, according to the most recent census.
The California Department of Veterans Affairs estimates there are 184, 283 veterans this year residing in Los Angeles County.During a legislative hearing earlier this year, Gonzalez told lawmakers that about 380,000 veterans in the state live with service-related disabilities.He explained the rising cost of living in California is especially challenging for those on fixed incomes, and said reducing property tax burdens could help prevent the most vulnerable veterans from ending up on ...