UPDATED: The original version of this article omitted a bill making its way through the California Senate.
Christian Southards of the California Legionnaire responds to a recent letter to the Editor regarding prospective bills that would offer relief to California Veterans. (Photo: Udo S.)
[In response to a recent post on a bill that would exempt Veterans’ military pensions from California income taxes.]
I appreciate the article and the information. I was unaware of the bill going before the State Senate to exempt military pensions in California. That would be a huge pleasure for veterans who collect pensions.
I would like to know who I may speak with regarding another initiative. One that would help many disabled veterans in the State of California. I would like to see California exempt property taxes for disabled veterans, very similar to what the State of Texas does for its disabled veterans. 100% disability would equate to 0% property taxes paid by the disabled veteran.
Would you have a contact or advise who I may reach out to suggest such an initiative.
Thanks again for your work.
Evert,
First, thank you for your interest here. Updated property tax exemption laws for Disabled California Veterans have long been one of the most imperative issues for our readers. As all Californians continue to face a high cost of living, relief — especially for those who served our country — is ever more pressing.
The current system in California for exempting property taxes for Disabled Veterans lags behind many other states. In California, tax exemptions are tied to state-defined criteria and max out at either $100,000 or $150,000, depending on a Disabled Veteran’s income. To qualify for a full exemption, Veterans must meet one or more of the following criteria per CalVet as a result of military service:
- Be blind in both eyes,
- Have lost the use of two or more limbs,
- Or be considered fully disabled by either the VA or the discharging service.
An increasing number of states, however, are offering property tax exemptions that are proportional to a Veteran’s disability rating. This includes a full exemption for Veterans that have received a 100% disability rating.
Last year, two separate bills were introduced to the California legislature. Both received bipartisan support but failed to make it out of the committee stage. This year, bipartisan support has continued for SB 726, authored by senators Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) and Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield). While the bill does not alter the current criteria for property tax exemptions, it does offer an increased exemption for a Disabled Veteran’s principal residence provided that the property’s value does not exceed $863,790.
The bill, which is championed by Veteran Strong USA, is currently awaiting further action in the Assembly.
In our subsequent emails, Evert, you discussed reaching out to your local California Assemblymember to voice your support for new property tax exemption laws, while also calling on your fellow Veterans to reach out to their state representatives. Though The California Legionnaire has long strived to serve as an objective voice for Veterans, we applaud your call to action and also encourage California Veterans to respectfully reach out to their elected representatives about the issues they care about.
Sincerely,
-Christian Southards, Freelance Newsletter Editor
Author: caLegion Contributor
The above article may contain opinions which are the author's own and may not necessarily reflect an official stance taken by The American Legion Department of California. We do our best to vet any information posted to the website. Please email webteam@calegion.org with any changes and/or corrections to anything published here.
I am a 100% Disabled Combat Service-Connected Vietnam Veteran. I am also retired from the Navy (2/1/1971-1/31/1979 Active, 2/1/1979-7/1/2010 Reserves) and retired from the Federal Government (Dept of Defense and Dept of State). All I knew about the VA was for home loans and burial services in 1979. Benefits to the veterans is very high on my list. What is the status of SB726 (Property Tax exemption) and AB46 (Exempt California Military Pension). I am currently 71 with many medical issues. Would like to enjoy these exemptions for my long service to this country while I am still alive. Besides my e-mail below, feel free to give me a call anytime at my cell number (hopefully you can find it or send me an e-mail for whom I can call). Thank you.
“To date no bills have been introduced…”
What about SB 726?
Just sayin
How do I start the prosses for the property tax exemption. I am rated 100%. not sure what I need to do. Jim Bordier
As our economy is in direr need of help! So does all veterans. Our income is stretching to the limit.
All Energy companies have increase they’re prices. Were does it END.
This tax exemption for California disabled veterans has become the venerable can being kicked down the street. It continues to be a slap in the face to disabled veterans.
Congress can give several countries billions of dollars every year, free gratis, this is an outrageous situation. When our country calls on us to serve we do because we love our country and all Americans.
It is sickening to me to hear positions right up to the POTUS say how they love the veterans and America owes them so much for their service right up to giving ones life in defense of our country. Fellow disabled veterans we have to vote these self centered phoney burocrats out of office that’s the only way to get congress to do what is right by our veterans. God, family and country is still my moto even though we only get lip service over and over again.
Please vote, always. Thank you my brothers and God bless you all.
Larry Rhoden
United States Army
1966,1967
With the high cost of living and many veterans struggling to make ends meet as well as live a comfortable life without worrying about paying bills, I would like California to fix the laws to allow all veterans rated at 90 % or more for disability.be allowed to claim property tax exemption so a veteran can afford to keep up with repairs and upkeep, so their property stays habitable. everything in California keeps getting more expensive. Especially home repairs or up grades