Printer Friendly Page

UTAH VETERANS GET HELP FROM NEW TAX LAW --

They won't need to refile abatement form in 2008.

 

 

Although this story is about Utah, it is a reminder to all veterans to investigate tax abatements in their community.

Many states, counties and municipalities offer special tax breaks to veterans.

Be sure to check in your area.  It could save you lots of money every year.

Story here... http://deseretnews.com/
dn/view/0,1249,650219620,00.html

Story below:

---------------

Vets to get help from new tax law

They won't need to refile abatement form in '08

By Amy Choate-Nielsen
Deseret Morning News

 

PROVO — For many disabled Utah veterans, this coming September will mark the end of a long-standing requirement that every year snags at least 30 veterans in Utah County and puts one of their benefits at risk.

Starting in January 2008, veterans who have property tax abatements on file with the county will no longer have to re-file the forms each year, as long as the veteran's status stays the same.

Former legislation required veterans to re-file an abatement form, which waives a portion of the veterans' property tax, with the county each year by Sept. 1, regardless of whether the veteran's benefit status had changed.

The requirement has often been a stumbling block for aging veterans who have been confused at the process and miss their deadline to file with the county.

If veterans file late, they risk losing the benefit of having a reduced property tax, and they must appeal their case in front of the Utah County Commission.

"Every year we have this problem," County Commissioner Larry Ellertson said. "Try as we may to avoid confusion ... it just hap- pens."

This year, commissioners listened to about 30 late veteran abatement cases. Many of the veterans received an extension when it was their first time to file late, but in cases where veterans did not personally appear in front of the commission, or if it was the second time they filed late, they did not receive the same leniency.

"My approach to this is I'd like to be as lenient with this as I can without doing something that isn't within the law," Ellertson said. "My feeling is that I'd like the veterans to receive the benefits they're entitled to."

In 2006, each veteran could qualify for up to $206,125 in tax abatements, depending on how disabled the veteran was. The abatement amount is not supposed to exceed the total value of the veteran's property that is entitled to the tax exemption, according to legislation.

Ellertson said the problem with approving too many late abatements is it can throw off the county's estimate for the tax levy when assessing property tax.

The county normally makes adjustments for those who receive abatements in order to create a balance in the tax levy, Ellertson said. Abatement estimations are made at the beginning of the year based on previous abatement applications the county receives.

Leaders in the veteran community know what a pain the annual filing requirement has been for veterans. Thad Jensen, former state commander of the Utah chapter of the American Legion and vice chairman of the national committee of homeland security for the American Legion, was late himself once.

After the Spanish Fork resident appealed his case before the county commission, and had it approved, other veterans began approaching him, asking him to represent them, too.

Then, after representing a number of veterans over the years, shortly before the last legislative session, Jensen approached Rep. Mike Morley-R, Spanish Fork, and asked him to change the legislation.

The legislation was changed, with the provision that it would not take effect until Jan. 1, 2008, in order to allow counties to adjust their protocol.

Veterans who have abatements on file with their county of residence will no longer re-file every year, unless the veteran's status changes, such as if they move, or if their level of benefits decrease or increase.

Morley said he is not worried about veterans taking advantage of the change by not giving updated information when it is warranted.

"We determined it would be appropriate to pass legislation that would allow (counties) to leave that benefit in place until the status of the benefit changed," Morley said. "Typically, we found the status (of a veteran's disability) is actually getting worse. Typically, it's not getting better."

If the health of a veteran declines, or if his disability worsens, the veteran is entitled to a greater tax waiver. At that point, the veteran would be responsible to re-file with the county to receive the greater benefit.

"It's a wonderful thing, because all over the state, (veterans) have been having problems, and doggone it, we got it fixed for those guys," Jensen said.

Jensen continues to work with veterans, giving information to young soldiers who have been injured and released from the military after serving in Iraq.

"It's the best job I've ever had," Jensen said. "There's an awful lot of veterans in Utah. Sometimes they fall through the cracks, and we can't let that happen."

Abatement facts

Reminder notice and statement of tax costs mailed to veterans in late March

The abatement form is due to the county by Sept. 1. Veterans can submit the form by mail

Property tax payments are due Nov. 30

Veterans are required to file proof of their disability from the Veterans Benefits Administration only once, unless their status changes

E-mail: achoate@desnews.com

---------------

Larry Scott

Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage