Reps. Terhar and Gonzales Applaud Concurrence on Legislation Offering Property Tax Relief to Disabled Veterans

The Ohio House of Representatives today concurred on Senate changes to House Bill 85, legislation to enhance the homestead exemption for military veterans who are 100 percent disabled from a service-related disability.

House Bill 85, which was jointly sponsored by State Representatives Lou Terhar (R-Cincinnati) and Anne Gonzales (R-Westerville), increases the amount of the exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 for those veterans who are permanently and totally disabled. It also ensures that county veterans service commissions do not lose funding from the loss of property tax revenue and exempts disabled veterans from means testing.

“I am appreciative that we were able to pass House Bill 85 before summer recess so that permanently disabled veterans can stay in their homes,” said Rep. Terhar. “This legislation is important not only for our state, but to the country.”

“This bill is the product of months of work with the interested parties and creates a benefit that is competitive with our neighboring states while being fiscally responsible,” said Rep. Gonzales.

The Senate included an amendment requiring the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs to confirm that a veteran is fully disabled and another to specify the program would begin in tax year 2014.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 47 other states provide some property tax relief for veterans who are completely and permanently disabled. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that there are approximately 8,000 permanently disabled veterans in Ohio who meet the service-related disability requirement for tax exemption under the bill.

Suzette Price of the American Legion, Jerry Kerr of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Will Davis of Disabled American Veterans, and Franklin County Auditor Clarence Mingo testified in support of House Bill 85.

House Bill 85 now awaits Governor Kasich’s signature.