No Property Tax for Some Disabled Vets in Texas

Author: Thomas C. Weiss
Published: 5 Jul 2009 - Updated: 18 Feb 2019

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Overview - Related Content

Synopsis

An editorial concerning Texas House Bill 3613 exempting Disabled Veterans from Property Taxes.

Overview

Are you a disabled veteran living in Texas? If so - this might be some good news for you!

The Texas Legislature recently passed House Bill 3613, a Bill that provides an exemption of the total appraised value of the homesteads of Texas veterans who have received a 100% disability rating, or who are considered to be unemployable by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mr. Bob O'Brien, Senior Vice Commander of Longview's VFW Post 4002, stated that the law has the potential to help a number of veterans in Texas.

Veterans who are eligible have to apply for the exemption through their particular county appraisal districts.

The law is effective for this tax year, meaning that eligible veterans need to act quickly to update their tax information.

Veterans may also need to contact their mortgage lender in order to adjust their escrow payments.

The discussions about this new exemption have grown at the VFW post Mr. O'Brien is a part of from he says;

I can only imagine. I also imagine that it won't be long before word of this travels across the entire nation through Veterans Organizations. With many veterans in America struggling to make ends meet, a Bill like this could help so many of us in America.

Mr. O'Brien is quoted as saying:

"It's great for us, lots of veterans have disabilities that prevent them from working, and this will really help them out financially."

I couldn't agree more.

It is also time to take a long look at the rating system in place by the Veterans Administration.

The disability rating system that the VA currently uses is extremely outdated, very unfair, and leaves veterans fighting for a higher rating when they should have been given a rating that provides them with the benefits they deserve in the first place.

Many veterans in America find themselves with a 10% rating that presents them with very minimal medical coverage and a little over $100 a month, despite disabilities such as PTSD or epilepsy.

Bills such as the one that Texas has just passed are a prime example of how America can continue to care for its veterans.

Author Credentials: Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses earning a Masters, Bachelors and two Associate degrees, as well as pursuing Disability Studies. As a CNA Thomas has provided care for people with all forms of disabilities. Explore Thomas' complete biography for comprehensive insights into his background, expertise, and accomplishments.