Article XIII of the California Constitution, section 4(a), and Revenue and Taxation Code section 205.5 provide an exemption for property which constitutes the home of a veteran, or the home of the unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran, who, because of injury or disease incurred in military service, is blind in both eyes, has lost the use of two or more limbs, or is totally disabled. There are two exemption levels - a basic exemption and one for low-income household claimants, both of which are adjusted annually for inflation*. The exemption does not apply to direct levies or special taxes. Once granted, the Basic Exemption remains in effect without annual filing until terminated. Annual filing is required for any year in which a Low-Income Exemption is claimed. Please refer to the attached schedule for the current amount and household income limits.
Totally disabled means that the United States Veterans Administration or the military service from which discharged has rated the disability at 100 percent or has rated the disability compensation at 100 percent by reason of being unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
The Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption is also available to the unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who, as a result of service- connected injury or disease: 1) died either while on active duty in the military service or after being honorably discharged and 2) served either in time of war or in time of peace in a campaign or expedition for which a medal has been issued by Congress. This law provides that the Veterans Administration shall determine whether an injury or disease is service-connected.
The Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption provides for the cancellation or refund of taxes paid 1) when property becomes eligible after the lien date (new acquisition or occupancy of a previously owned property) or 2) upon a veteran’s disability rating or death. This further provides for the termination of the exemption on the date of sale or transfer of a property to a third party who is not eligible for the exemption or on the date a person previously eligible for the exemption becomes ineligible.
* As provided by Revenue and Taxation Code section 205.5, the exemption amount and the household income limit shall be compounded annually by an inflation factor tied to the California Consumer Price Index.
