SACRAMENTO
– A proposal sponsored by George Runner to protect California’s
disabled veterans cleared the Assembly this week with unanimous,
bipartisan support, and now awaits action by Governor
Jerry Brown.
“I
applaud the Legislature for passing this legislation to help the men
and women who have bravely served our country,” said Runner.
“Bureaucratic delays should never rob veterans of the tax
benefits that are rightfully theirs.”
In a letter
urging Governor Brown’s signature, Runner writes that Senate Bill 1113,
authored by Senator Steve Knight (R-Antelope Valley), will ensure “that
disabled veterans who encounter bureaucratic delays are able to claim a
property tax exemption to which they are entitled.”
Under
California law, veterans who receive a 100% disability rating from the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may be eligible for a property
tax exemption on the value of their home
up to $124,932 or $187,399 in 2014 and equivalent amounts adjusted for
inflation in future years. The exemption starts on the date of
disability and disabled veterans may claim a refund for up to four years
of back taxes paid.
Unfortunately,
due to VA backlogs, some veterans have had to wait more than four years
to receive their disability rating certifications. As a result, they’ve
missed out on thousands of dollars
in property tax refunds to which they were entitled and anticipated
receiving.
SB
1113 would increase the availability of refunds on taxes previously
paid from four years to eight years, allowing veterans to receive the
full benefit of their exemption, even if the rating
process takes more than four years to complete.
“Veterans
who are disabled as a direct result of serving our country shouldn’t be
penalized for delays over which they have no control,” said Knight. “I
commend my colleagues for backing SB
1113 to ensure disabled veterans have access to the tax benefits they
deserve.”
The full Board of Equalization voted to support SB 1113 at its March 25
meeting, and the measure has also received support from the California
Assessors’ Association, California Taxpayers Association,
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and a broad coalition of veterans’
organizations.
Elected
in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million
Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more
information, visit
www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.
