Proposal would Give Tax Relief to Disabled Veterans | Eastern NC Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post is Barry Smith, who is an associate editor for the Carolina Journal, John Hood Publisher.

Measure from Dollar also would remove cap on homestead exemption for surviving spouses of first responders killed on duty

    A state legislator is hoping to give disabled veterans and spouses of fallen first responders a break on their property tax bills.

    Rep. Nelson Dollar, R-Wake, as filed a bill removing homestead exemption caps for disabled veterans.

    "Currently for disabled veterans the homestead exclusion is only up to $45,000 of assessed value," Dollar said. "So this takes out that cap."

    The bill also would extend the uncapped homestead exemption for spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty.

    "We're looking for opportunities to honor the service, honor the sacrifices that have been made by those who put themselves in harm's way for our country and those who put themselves in harm's way on a daily basis to serve our community," Dollar said.

    Dollar said more than 13,000 disabled veterans and about 400 families of fallen first responders could benefit from the bill if it becomes law. He said disabled veterans could see a total decrease of $13 million to $14 million in their property tax bills statewide. First responder survivors would see their property tax bills decrease by about $700,000 statewide, he said.

    The bill has been sent to a State and Local Government Committee.