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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Bryan Lentz |
  
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Lentz bill exempting disabled vets from property taxes advances
HARRISBURG, Sept. 22 – The House State Government Committee reported out a bill (H.B. 2020) today introduced by state Rep. Bryan R. Lentz, D-Delaware, that would exempt all permanently disabled veterans from paying property taxes, regardless of their annual income.
Lentz's bill would modify the current Disabled Veterans’ Real Estate Tax Exemption program by removing the "need provision" requiring disabled veterans to provide proof of their annual income and expenses every two years to demonstrate financial need in order to retain the exemption.
"The idea that a veteran disabled in wartime has to prove financial need is ludicrous," Lentz said. "These people have made an incredible sacrifice for their country and their lives have been changed forever. They should be entitled to the exemption regardless of their income.
"I strongly believe that requiring totally disabled veterans to demonstrate ongoing financial need is contrary to purpose of the exemption, and results in the disabled veterans, in essence, being audited to remain eligible. The law should be simple: if you were totally disabled in the service of this country then you don't pay property taxes – period."
The Disabled Veterans’ Real Estate Tax Exemption program currently exempts permanently disabled veterans from paying property taxes on residences they occupy if they are blind, amputees, paralyzed or otherwise declared 100 percent permanently disabled as a result of a service-related injury.
The bill now goes before the full House for consideration.
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