Veterans Disability Attorney Applauds Efforts to Cut Taxes for Disabled Veterans

Jim Fausone

Veteran Disability Attorney

More states are pushing to give disabled vets a much-needed tax break.

In Michigan, State Senator Glenn Anderson (D-Westland) has introduced legislation to reduce taxes for his state's disabled vets. His latest bill, Senate Bill 104, would allow local governmental units to exempt vets who are 100 percent disabled from paying local property taxes. Sen. Anderson's bill is now going before the Senate Finance Committee.

"It is heartening to see lawmakers push to give our country's disabled vets a break to help them keep their homes," commented veterans disability attorney James Fausone.

Anderson stated that even if local communities wanted to give disabled vets the tax break, currently they cannot under state law. But vets who are 100 percent disabled often find it impossible to become gainfully employed in civilian life and face a number of financial hurdles. Anderson said that he believed many communities throughout the state of Michigan would be glad to waive local property taxes on primary residences for those vets as a way to thank them for their service and sacrifice. Senate Bill 104, co-sponsored by Republicans and Democrats, has widespread veteran advocate support from several veteran organizations.

Meanwhile, in Washington State, lawmakers have approved a tax exemption for disabled veterans in need of a vehicle modification. The senate unanimously voted to establish a tax benefit for disabled vets who need installation and/or repairs on any equipment to help them get into, out of or drive a car or truck. The measure would cost Washington State just over $60,000 over the next two years in tax revenue.

Connecticut is also considering a tax break for disabled vets. Senate Bill 383 is currently before General Assembly, awaiting the support of the state legislators. The bill would give a tax break to that state's bets disabled during service in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan.

And in New York State, more than 50 percent of the 14,000 vets in Chautauqua County have yet to apply for tax breaks which would save them at least several hundred dollars each year. U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. has initiated a plan to support newly returned vets from Iraq and Afghanistan by ensuring they are getting the benefits to which they are entitled. He is pushing the VA to use a universal property tax exemption application for vets discharged from service and considering the purchasing of a home. He is also asking that social media helps spread the word to newly discharged vets that federal and state benefits are available to them, as the area's home buying season heats up.

  

Sources

http://abc10up.com/bill-could-cut-taxes-for-disabled-veterans/

http://www.americanhomecomings.com/news/2013/04/29/washington-senate-approves-tax-break-for-disabled-vets/

http://articles.courant.com/2013-04-19/news/hcrs-14460hc--20130417_1_property-tax-relief-state-legislators-persian-gulf

http://www.observertoday.com/page/content.detail/id/584309/Schumer-sessions.html