SPONSOR: Jones (12)
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Veterans and Armed Forces by a vote of 16 to 1.
This bill establishes the "Missouri Disabled Veteran Homestead Tax Credit Act".
The bill provides that for all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, a county can grant an annual real property tax credit for the total amount of real property taxes levied on the residence by any county or political subdivision for disabled veterans if such county adopts an order, ordinance, or resolution authorizing such real property tax credit in such county.
The disabled veteran must have a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability and the market value of the property cannot exceed $500,000.
The tax credit can be used for a residence and up to five acres. If the total market value of the residence and surrounding acreage does not exceed $500,000 dollars, ownership of additional acreage will not disqualify an owner from eligibility under the provisions of this section.
The real property tax credit carries over to the benefit of the eligible owner's surviving spouse as long as the spouse holds the legal or beneficial title to the qualified residence, permanently resides there, and does not remarry.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this will reduce strain on fixed income families of disabled veterans.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Jones; Missouri National Guard Association; Clay Williams, American Legion Post 331/Vfw 3176/ Dav 49; Blake Leitch, Parmele Disability Advocate; Charles Canady; Charles A Sanders; ABATE for Missouri; and Andy Davis.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that there needs to be a funding source to replace the lost tax revenue the counties are receiving.
Testifying in person against the bill was Arnie Dienoff. Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: