The bill seeks to amend Section 44-3-4 of the General Laws, specifically revising the property tax exemptions for veterans by increasing the general exemption from $1,000 to $5,000. This exemption is applicable to veterans of various conflicts and their unmarried widows or widowers. It also allows for the balance of the exemption to be claimed in other municipalities if the value of the property in the veteran's residence municipality does not exhaust the full exemption amount. The bill includes changes to specific exemptions for different municipalities, with some exemptions being deleted, such as in Burrillville, while others, like in Cumberland and Jamestown, are set by town council ordinances. The amendment also outlines the conditions for claiming these exemptions, including residency requirements and deadlines for presenting evidence of entitlement.

Furthermore, the bill details the different exemption amounts that can be provided by various cities and towns, with some offering exemptions up to $22,500. It addresses exemptions for totally disabled persons and veterans, with amounts varying by location, and includes additional tax credits or exemptions for veterans with service-connected disabilities. The bill also provides for an extra $15,000 exemption for veterans classified as prisoners of war and specifies that remarriage does not disqualify widows or widowers from receiving benefits unless the remarriage is still valid. The exemptions and tax credits for veterans, including those with partial or total disabilities, are to be determined by the town councils, and the bill stipulates adherence to eligibility dates. The proposed changes aim to provide tax relief to disabled individuals and veterans and would take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
2172  SUB A: 44-3-4
2172: 44-3-4