Two separate bills in the California Senate aim to provide partial property tax exemptions for disabled veterans. (Photo: Alex Proimos)
On April 7, the California Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee approved two separate bills that expand property tax exemptions for disabled veterans.
The first, Senate Bill SB-1073, was introduced by Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, and promises partial property tax exemptions for the principal residence owned by a partially disabled veteran. Under the current law, only veterans who have lost two or more limbs, are blind, or are fully disabled because of a service-related injury are eligible for property tax reductions.
Under SB-1073, property tax exemptions for disabled veterans would be equal to their disability rating. For example, a veteran with a disability rating of 50 percent would be eligible for 50 percent of the current property tax exemption for disabled veterans.
Additionally, the California Senate committee advanced Senate Bill SB-1357, which was introduced by Sen. Bob Archuleta, D-Pico Rivera. This bill would grant veterans who have a 100 percent disability rating a full property tax exemption for their principal residence. Alternatively, veterans who are fully blind or have lost two or more limbs, but do not have a 100 percent disability rating would receive a partial property tax exemption.
As it stands now, partial property tax exemptions under SB-1357 are calculated by multiplying the veteran’s disability rating percentage by $700,000. If, for example, the veteran had a 50 percent disability rating, their exemption would be $350,000.
Both bills have been resubmitted to the California Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee for further debate. As they have competing proposals, it is expected that the committee will have to consolidate provisions proposed in both bills before one of the two can advance further in the legislature.
Readers can click here to see a complete overview of veterans bills in the California legislature.
Author: Christian Southards
Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.
From my understanding SB-1357 has been silently killed so that one is deal to fully exempt property tax for fully disabled veterans. I am 100% and having to work three jobs just to make ends meet as much as I can with my physical ailments. Exempting property tax based on rating is logical but if I am 100% disabled should I not be 100% exempt from property tax and so on for the other ratings? I should not have to work so hard after retirement and having so many ailments; I wish CA would support veterans better and pass the bill and help out the veterans who want to stay in CA. So many of my friends are leaving for other states because CA does not take care of veterans. If they exempted my property taxes and retirement pay, I know so many veterans who would stay. This would be such a huge stress relief for me. I just want my kids to be active in sports, stay away from bad influences, and live a low stress life….right now that does not happen in CA. Please help us………….
i am interested in more info. about va. 100% disadbled property tax exemption and if i qualify.
QUESTION: after reading the article about 50% and 100% disabled veterans getting partial or full property tax exemption can you please clearify the following example for disabled veterans percentage breakdown:
For 50% disabled veterans receiving 50% disability will multiply his 50% rating X 700 = $350,000 property tax exemption. So if this is the formula I’m a 100% disabled veteran so I should qualify with
$700,000 property tax exemption. I submitted my application to the county tax office and did receive partial property tax exemption but only partial but in no way meet the formula above. I’m still paying over $2,000 property tax yearly.
i am interested in more info. about va. 100% disadbled property tax exemption
According to a recent article on Military.com, in 2022, six more states have joined the ranks of those exempting, or partially exempting, military retirement pay from state income tax liability. This leaves ONLY CALIFORNIA and the District of Columbia fully taxing military retirement income. NOT a list you should be proud to be #1 on.
Has there been an update to the two proposed bills?
06/03/2022
What is the current status of SB-1073 and SB-1357? Thank you.
Thank you for your comment! We’ve updated the article to reflect the current status of both bills. (Both have been approved by their initial house.)