Clark County Auditor John S. Federer announced today that Ohio Legislators approved Amended Substitute House Bill 85.  The bill regarding Disabled Veterans’ Homestead Exemption was signed by the Governor on June 12, 2014 and enhances the exemption for military veterans who are 100% disabled from a service-connected disability.

BILL SUMMARY:

•  H.B 85 Increases the homestead exemption amount from $25,000 to $50,000 to qualified disabled veterans.
• The bill also exempts disabled veterans from the newly established income limit.
• If a disabled veteran dies while receiving the exemption, the exemption continues for the homestead if a surviving spouse acquires ownership of the homestead and resides there. No age restriction is placed on surviving spouses. The exemption continues through the year in which the surviving spouse dies, ceases to own or occupy the homestead, or remarries.
• Homeowners would first receive the exemption for tax year 2014 (or tax year 2015 for manufactured homes)

ELIGIBILITY:

To receive the increased exemption under the bill, a homeowner must be a veteran of the armed forces of the United States, including reserve components thereof, or of the national guard, who has received a permanent total disability rating or a total disability rating for a service-connected disability or combination of service-connected disabilities for which the schedule for rating disabilities in Schedule 38, Part 4 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as amended, prescribes a 100% evaluation. When applying for the exemption, the veteran must provide written confirmation of the disability from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

WHEN TO FILE:

The application with appropriate paperwork should be filed with the County Auditor between January 6, 2015 and June 1, 2015.

“We are extremely grateful for the sacrifices made by these brave men and women,” said Federer.  Please visit our website at: www.clarkcountyauditor.org for updated information as it becomes available.

July 11, 2014