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
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