Houghtaling Bill Grants Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Eric Houghtaling to authorize a property tax exemption for totally disabled veterans, regardless of whether they served in a theater of war, has been signed into law.

A theater of war is a military term that describes an area of air, sea and land that is directly involved in war. Under current law, to be eligible for a 100 percent property tax exemption, a veteran must be 100 percent disabled as the result of their service in a theater of war or in a foreign country, on board a ship or naval vessel, or in foreign airspace.

The law (A-3150) authorizes any veteran of military service in any branch of the armed forces of the United States who became 100 percent disabled as the result of that military service to receive a 100 percent property tax exemption, without a requirement that the disability be connected to service in a theater of war or in a foreign country, on board any ship or naval vessel, or in any foreign airspace.

“In the grand scheme of things, it’s very hard to ever repay a veteran for the grave sacrifices they make serving our country,” said Houghtaling (D-Monmouth). “But, at the very least, we should be doing all we can to offer assistance and make their lives easier upon their return home.”

The law also stipulates that for the purpose of eligibility for the property tax exemption, there shall be no minimum length of continuous or aggregate service required in any foreign country, on board any ship or naval vessel, or in any foreign airspace; and there shall be no requirement that the service-connected disability suffered by a veteran shall have occurred during any service in any foreign country, on board any ship or naval vessel, or in any foreign airspace.