Legislation Quick Search
03/28/2024 08:25 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20170&cosponId=21198
Share:
Home / Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Subscribe to PaLegis Notifications
NEW!

Subscribe to receive notifications of new Co-Sponsorship Memos circulated

By Member | By Date | Keyword Search


Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: December 8, 2016 08:54 AM
From: Senator Christine M. Tartaglione
To: All Senate members
Subject: Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption
 
In the near future, I plan to re-introduce legislation, formerly SB 996, that amends the Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption law relating to calculation of income and the determination of “need.”

It is not uncommon for my constituents to voice their concerns about the rising cost of property taxes. This financial burden is felt by our disabled veterans who are unable to work as a result of injuries incurred while serving in the military. Many of these disabled veterans live on fixed incomes that are being outpaced by the increases in their property tax bills.

This legislation would amend the law and add a definition of “income” that mirrors the definition in the Senior Citizen Property Tax and Rent Rebate Act. Under current regulations for the Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption program, “income” is defined as all income, including 100% of social security income and railroad retirement benefits. This bill would exempt 50% of social security income and railroad retirement benefits and be consistent with the Senior Citizens Property Tax and Rent Rebate Act. This change will potentially increase eligibility for the tax exemption among the disabled veteran population.

In addition, this legislation will remove the language that creates a “rebuttable presumption” of need if the applicant makes less than $75,000 annually and provide that applicants with less than $75,000 in annual income shall be deemed to be in need and receive the exemption. The rebuttable presumption contained in current law will continue to apply to those making over $75,000 per year.

This legislation is aimed at providing property tax exemption to an expanded population of veterans who honorably served our country and have incurred significant and permanent disability as a result of their military service, and are suffering financial hardship.

Members who co-sponsored this legislation previously include Senators Dinniman, Greenleaf, Brewster, Costa, Aument, Boscola, Stefano, Rafferty, and Tomlinson.



Introduced as SB156