Oregon House Passes Bill that Updates Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption

Currently, approximately 37,500 Oregon veterans receive this property tax exemption.

Vicki Berger (R-Salem) wants to make it easier for disabled veterans to file for the partial property tax exemption

(SALEM) - Representative Vicki Berger (R-Salem) presented House Bill 2237 to lawmakers during the floor session on Monday.

HB 2237 makes it easier for disabled veterans to file for the partial property tax exemption for which they are eligible.

The bill received bipartisan support and was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives.

HB 2237 eliminates the annual filing requirement for disabled veterans or their surviving spouse for a partial property tax exemption.

To qualify for this exemption, a veteran must meet the following criteria: Be a war veteran; own and occupy the home to which the exemption may apply; have a disability of at least 40 percent. The changes to the filing requirements were suggested by the Department of Revenue.

It was pointed out that administratively, annual filing makes the most sense when the applicant’s circumstances are subject to change.

Circumstances for disabled veterans or their spouses typically do not change.

Processing these applications and sending out annual notifications is administratively burdensome.

Currently, approximately 37,500 Oregon veterans receive this property tax exemption.

The changes made by HB 2237 will apply to the 2008 tax year.