Property tax benefit extended for surviving spouses of disabled veterans

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A property tax exclusion program has been extended to five years for the surviving spouses of Minnesota veterans with a permanent and total disability connected to their military service.

“We hope this extended benefit will help ease the financial burden on the families of our disabled heroes in Minnesota,” said Larry Shellito, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.

In Minnesota, military veterans with permanent, 100 percent service-connected disabilities may receive a value exclusion of up to $300,000 on their homestead for property tax purposes. Previously, the spouse of a qualifying veteran who died could receive the exclusion for two years after the veteran’s death.

Under this year’s tax bill (Chapter 7, sec. 8), that period was extended to five years, or until the spouse remarries, sells or transfers the property.

“The families of our Minnesota veterans also pay a price for their service to our nation,” said Myron Frans, state revenue commissioner.

To receive the exclusion, the surviving spouse must apply for the program through their county assessor and reapply each year. This year, applications are due by September 15 (to receive the exclusion for taxes payable in 2012). The deadline is July 1 in future years.

Anyone with questions about this program or their eligibility should contact their county assessor’s office or their County Veterans Service officers.

For more information and an application for this program, visit the Department of Revenue website at www.taxes.state.mn.us.

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