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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Steven J. Santarsiero |
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Santarsiero bill to provide real estate tax relief to disabled vets passes House
HARRISBURG, June 30 – State Rep. Steven J. Santarsiero, D-Bucks, said the House today unanimously passed his legislation that would defer real estate tax payments for veterans and military personnel who have become 100 percent permanently disabled as a result of their service to the U.S.
Santarsiero's bill (H.B. 1838) would grant veterans the tax exemption immediately upon application, pending the outcome of the decision by the state Veterans Commission.
The legislation would also require that a notice of this exemption be provided to both the applicant and the tax-levying bodies or tax collectors of all political subdivisions imposing real estate taxes. The legislation also would prohibit the imposition of any interest or penalties on accrued taxes if the veteran is deemed ineligible for the exemption based on income.
"While a program already exists to exempt disabled veterans from paying property taxes, veterans often must wait as long as a year before learning whether they will be exempt," Santarsiero said. "Many of our brave veterans live on limited means, and after the great sacrifice they have provided to our country, it makes sense that we allow them to receive this benefit immediately upon application, rather than waiting through a lengthy application process.
"Those months could mean the difference between staying afloat and losing their homes," he added.
Currently, disabled veterans can receive a property tax exemption through the Disabled Veterans’ Real Estate Tax Exemption program, provided they make no more than $79,050 annually.
The bill now moves to the Senate for discussion.
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