OTTAWA – State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is supporting legislation that would lower property taxes for the surviving spouses of veterans who are injured or killed in the line of duty. Senate Bill 110 allows the surviving spouses of deceased veterans to receive the tax credit their veteran husband or wife would have been eligible for, even if the fallen soldier was unable to apply before death.
“When a brave American enlists in our armed services, their whole family serves with them,” said Yednock. “When tragedy strikes, our community should be there for our neighbors who gave their lives for freedoms and values. This commonsense measure provides military families with the financial relief they deserve.”
Currently, veterans injured in the line of duty are eligible for significant property tax savings, with the most severely injured veterans being exempt from property taxes entirely. Many surviving spouses are also able to keep the disabled veteran tax credit after their spouse’s death. Additionally, those receiving federal benefits as a result of a spouse killed in the line of military service would receive a total property tax exemption.
“This bill has received bipartisan support because government red tape should never take precedent over allowing more military spouses access to the property tax relief that they’ve earned,” said Yednock. “The spouses of our wounded warriors should not be forced out of their homes by high property taxes at any time, especially after a devastating loss of a loved one.”
