Boback Reminds 100% Service-Connected Disabled Veterans of Real Estate Tax Exemption

Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, would like to remind veterans who are 100% permanently disabled due to service that they are eligible for an exemption on their real estate tax.

This program provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) offers real estate tax exemption for any honorably discharged veteran who is 100% disabled, has a financial need and is a resident of the Commonwealth.

Veterans may apply for the exemption by contacting the Veterans Affairs director in their county of residence:  

Lackawanna County – Director David Eisele – 570-963-6778 – https://www.lackawannacounty.org/index.php/departmentsagencies/human-services/veterans-affairs

Luzerne County – Director Jim Spagnola – 570-706-3960 – https://www.luzernecounty.org/508/Veterans

Wyoming County – Director Jack Hubert – 570-996-2258 – https://wycopa.org/directory/veterans-representative/

Veteran’s eligibility criteria:

• Served in the military honorably.
• Served during established war service dates as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs **The following decorations can also be used to establish wartime service: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or Navy Expeditionary Medal.
• Must have a total or 100% permanent service-connected disability rating by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or as the result of military service the veteran is blind or paraplegic or has sustained the loss of two or more limbs.
• Must be a resident of the Commonwealth.
• Must occupy the real estate as his/her principal dwelling.
• Dwelling is owned solely by the veteran or as an estate in the entirety.

Must prove financial need:

• Veteran must prove financial need according to the criteria established by the State Veterans Commission if their annual income exceeds $92,594, effective Jan. 1, 2019.
• Applicants with an annual income of $92,594 or less are given a rebuttable presumption to have a need for the exemption
• **Upon the death of a qualified veteran, tax exemption may pass on to the unmarried surviving spouse if financial need can be shown.

An exemption for the financial need can be considered when the applicant’s allowable expenses exceed the applicant’s household income. The applicant’s monthly household expenses will be calculated to include a cost of living allowance and dependent’s allowance.

After the DMVA certifies the financial need for an exemption and the eligibility criteria is verified, the county board of assessment and revision of taxes will grant the tax exemption. Cases that have been granted tax exemption will be reviewed periodically to determine continued need for exemption from certain real estate property taxes.

For more information on the real estate tax exemption program or any other state programs and services supporting veterans, visit www.dmva.pa.gov.