A Veterans’ Tax-Savings Benefit

BY JEFF PRANG Los Angeles County Assessor

In honor of our Independence Day this month, I wanted to highlight a property tax-savings program for those special men and women who’ve served our great nation in the military.

These programs are designed to specifically benefit veterans and in some small way to honor their courage and valor.

In a nutshell, here’s how they work: Disabled veterans or the unmarried spouse of a deceased disabled veteran are eligible to receive a property tax exemption for their home.

The exemption reduces the property tax on the veteran’s primary residence, if they are rated 100% disabled or receive compensation at the 100% rate due to being unable to work. The unmarried surviving spouse of a qualified veteran can also claim the exemption.

To be eligible for the exemption, a veteran must have been injured during their military service. The injuries that qualify for the exemption include being blind in both eyes, losing the use of two or more limbs, being totally disabled according to the Department of Veterans Affairs or military service, or receiving a disability compensation rating of 100% due to inability to work.

The disability rating is issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs. If the VA determines that a veteran should receive a 100% disability rating, the exemption claim should be filed within 90 days of notification or before the next Jan. 1. There is an eight-year time limit to claim the benefit, and it starts from the effective date of the disability rating.

There are two levels of this exemption: the basic exemption and the low-income exemption. The basic exemption, also known as the $100,000 exemption, is available to all qualifying veterans. The amount of the exemption increases each year based on inflation. Once

approved, no annual filing is required.

The low-income exemption is for qualifying veterans whose annual household income doesn’t exceed a specified limit. The exemption amount and income limit increases each year based on inflation. To apply for the lowincome exemption, the homeowner must complete and submit the required forms annually, including providing information on household income. All income, including veterans’ benefits and income from others in the household, is counted towards the income limit.

Keep in mind that a property under current law can only receive one property tax exemption, either the Homeowners’ Exemption or the Disabled Veterans’ Exemption. I am working to change this. I believe it’s far too restrictive for our veterans. I am working with legislators with a bill known as California Senate Constitutional Amendment 6 or SCA 6. This measure would allow a dwelling that receives the Veterans’ Exemption or the Disabled Veterans’ Ex- emption to also receive the Homeowners’ Exemption, increasing the benefits exponentially. It’s moving through the legislative process, and I will keep you posted on our progress.

My office offers other several tax-savings programs as well, and the Veterans Exemptions are just two examples. For additional property tax relief programs, visit assessor.lacounty.gov/ exclusions-tax-relief or call 213/974-3211.

Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang has been in office since 2014. Upon taking office, Prang implemented sweeping reforms to ensure that the strictest ethical guidelines rooted in fairness, accuracy and integrity would be adhered to in his office, which is the largest office of its kind in the nation with nearly 1,400 employees and provides the foundation for a property tax system that generates about $19 billion annually. 