Other Property Tax Exemptions Disabled Veterans Can Apply For
While disabled veteran property tax exemptions can significantly reduce or even eliminate a homeowners property taxes, veterans may qualify for other exemptions as well.
In the state of Texas, if a homeowner is both disabled and 65 years or older, they can qualify for either a $10,000 senior homeowner exemption or a $10,000 disabled homeowner exemption. In some cases, they may qualify for both exemptions, so long as theyre applied to different taxing units.
Additionally, homeowners in these categories can apply for property tax deferment, which allows homeowners to postpone the repayment of current and/or delinquent property taxes past their typical due date until the homeowner sells the property or no longer lives there.
Both of these property tax exemptions can be added to the benefits that an individual already receives as a disabled veteran.
Motor Vehicle Used For Production Of Income And For Personal Activities
An individual is entitled to an exemption from taxation of one motor vehicle the individual owned on January 1. The exemption will only apply to a vehicle used in the course of their occupation or profession and also used for personal activities that do not involve the production of income. This exemption does not apply to a motor vehicle used to transport passengers for hire . You must file the application between January 1 and April 30. Attach a copy of the current vehicle registration receipt to the application. Failure to do so will result in the denial of the exemption. You may protest a denial of the exemption to the Appraisal Review Board. For the purposes of this application, an individual is one person or owner, as in a sole proprietor . Motor vehicle means a passenger car or light truck. Passenger car means a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, golf cart, taxi, bus or limousine, designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons. Light truck means a commercial motor vehicle that has a manufacturers rated carrying capacity of one ton or less.
Texas Veterans Dmv Benefits
Free Drivers License for Texas Disabled Veterans
Disabled Veterans in Texas with at least a 60% VA disability rating and an honorable discharge can get a Texas drivers license or ID card for free.
Free Hunting and Fishing License for Texas Veterans
Disabled Veterans in Texas with an honorable discharge and a 50% or greater VA disability rating, or who have suffered the loss of use of a foot or leg as a result of service, can get a free Super Combo Hunting and Fishing License each year.
The Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package is available at no cost for Texas Disabled Veterans.
The Super Combo License Package includes:
- Resident hunting license
- Federal Duck Stamp is NOT included, but is required for waterfowl hunting
Texas Veterans State Park Admissions
The Disabled Veterans passport allows free entry to Texas state parks for Texas Disabled Veterans with a 60% or more service-connected disability or loss of lower extremity.
One additional person may assist the pass holder at a reduced rate of 50% of the standard entry fee.
Present valid identification AND at least one of the following to get your passport:
- Disabled Veterans of Texas license plate receipt
- Veterans VA Disability Summary Award Verification Letter
- Tax exemption letter for Texas veterans
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License Plates And Registration For Vehicles Owned And Driven By Disabled Veterans
A person entitled to veteran specialty license plates may register, for the person’s own use, one vehicle without payment of any fee paid for or at the time of registration except the fee for the license plates.
A veteran is entitled to register, for their own use, motor vehicles under the above exemption if:
- the person has suffered, as a result of military service:
- at least a 50 percent service-connected disability or
- a 40 percent service-connected disability because of the amputation of a lower extremity
An organization may register a motor vehicle and receive this exemption if:
- the vehicle is used exclusively to transport veterans who have suffered, as a result of military service, a service-connected disability and
- the veterans are not charged for the transportation.
License plates issued must include:
- the letters “DV” on the plate if the plate is issued for a vehicle other than a motorcycle and
- the words “Disabled Veteran” and “U.S. Armed Forces” at the bottom of each license plate.
The fee for the first set of license plates is $3. There is no fee for any additional set of license plates.
A person, who receives DV license plates, may receive a disabled parking placard for each set of license plates without providing additional documentation.
Claim Filing And Effective Dates
low-income exemption only
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Help From The Texas Veterans Commission
This state agency offers many services for veterans. Their employment help for vets includes one-on-one job coaching, interview skills, and resume development according to the official site. The site includes news and application information for the Hazelwood Act, which offers 150 hours of tuition waivers for public colleges and universities in Texas.
There are indirect benefits, too. The Texas Veterans Commission offers general assistance grants to agencies dedicated to helping veterans. Similar grants are available to approved agencies for mental health, treatment court grants, and the Housing For Texas Heroes program.
Property Tax Reduction For Disabled Veterans In Texas
Some counties may allow disabled veterans to apply for more than one property tax exemption, depending on their disability. Here are examples of what exemptions you could combine:
- 100% disabled veterans of all agesprimary residence only
- 10%90% disabled veterans of all ages:
DoNotPays Property Tax guide will show you which exemptions you can apply for and how to do it!
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Texas Historically Underutilized Business Program
The comptroller encourages the use of historically underutilized businesses by state agencies and assists agencies in the implementation of this policy. The purpose of the HUB program is to promote full and equal business opportunities for all businesses in an effort to remedy disparity in state procurement and contracting in accordance with the HUB goals specified in the State of Texas Disparity Study, including veterans.
For more information about the program visit the FAQ page on the Texas Comptrollers website.
Tips For Lowering Your Property Taxes In Texas
You dont have to live in one of the states with low property taxes to pay less. Here are some money-saving tips:
- Research the neighboring propertiesfind comparable homes and see if there are any discrepancies
- Postpone home renovations after your property tax assessment so as not to increase your homes value
- Be present during the in-person property assessment to ensure a fair assessment
- Examine your tax bill for errors and negotiate with your tax assessor
- Check property tax exemptions ofteneligibility factors may change over time
- File a property tax appeal if you believe your home was overvalued
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Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption
Total property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.
Veterans with 10 – 90% VA disability can get a reduction of their home’s’ assessed value from $5,000 – $12,000 depending on disability percentage. Surviving spouses also qualify.
Some counties offer homestead tax exemptions for veterans.
Texas Veteran Housing Benefits
Veterans Land Board
The Veterans Land Board offers qualifying veterans to borrow money directly from the State of Texas. Up to $150,000 is available per transaction to purchase land at competitive interest rates according to the VLB official site.
There are also other home loan options, including:
- Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs My First Texas Home Loan
- TDHC My Choice Texas Home loan
- Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation Homes for Texas Heroes Home Loan Program
- TSAHC Sweet Texas Home Loan
Housing Assistance
Land purchases arent the only option available via VLB. There is also a Veterans Housing Assistance Program which allows veterans to apply for fixed-rate home loans with little or no down payment required. According to the official site, Veterans, military members and their spouses may receive up to $424,100 on a fixed-rate loan for 15, 20, 25 or 30 year termsVeterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 30% or greater qualify for a discounted interest rate.
Veteran Homes in Texas
Texas has 8 veterans homes located in the following cities:
These homes open for those who need, long-term nursing care for Texas Veterans, their spouses and Gold Star parents according to the official site, which adds that the Department of Veterans Affairs, subsidizes much of a veterans cost to stay at a VLB Texas State Veterans Home resulting in lower daily rates.
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Surviving Spouse Of A Person Who Received The Disability Exemption
If qualified, a Surviving Spouse may receive an extension of the tax ceiling. To qualify, your deceased spouse must have been receiving the Disabled Person exemption on the residence homestead. The Surviving Spouse must have been age 55 or older on the date of the spouses death. You must have ownership in the property and proof of death of your spouse. You may contact the Customer Service department for additional information at 254-939-5841.
Texas State Benefits For Survivors
Veteran ServicesVA Benefit ProgramsBenefits for Survivors of VeteransTexas State Benefits for Survivors Property Tax Exemptionwww.tad.orgHome, Land, and Home Improvement Loans for Survivorswww.glo.texas.gov/vlbTexas Veterans CemeteriesHazelwood Act Educational Benefitswww.tvc.texas.gov/Hazlewood-Act.aspxTexas States Veterans Homeswww.glo.texas.gov/vlb/veterans-benefits/veterans-homes/index.html
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Texas Disabled Veteran Home Loans
Texas Disabled Veteran Home Loans
The Veterans Land Board, Veterans Land LoanProgram is the only one of its kind in the nation, giving Texas Veterans andMilitary Members the opportunity to borrow up to $150,000 to purchase land atcompetitive interest rates while typically requiring a minimum five percentdown payment for tracts of one acre or more.
The program is easy touse and offers Texas Veterans and Military Members exclusive financing towardsthe purchase of their own piece of Texas.
The bonds used to fundthe program are retired from loan repayments and the cost of administering theprogram is financed through a small fee charged on each loan.
Texas Disabled Veteran Land Loans Financing
The current Land Loansinterest ratefor Texas Disabled Veterans is 7.25%.
VLB provides financing on tracts up to $150,000 with a minimum 5%down payment and a fixed-rate 30-year loan term.
The 5% down payment is subject to credit approval.
A $325 appraisal and contract service fee are due at the time ofapplication.
There is no pre-payment penalty.
Ifyou have not already identified the land you wish to purchase, consider thefollowing options:
- Visit a property search website that lists land for sale in Texas
Once a Veteran, or his orher successor, has successfully paid off a VLB land loan s/he may apply foranother VLB land loan.
The same applies to our home and home improvement loan programs.
Disabled Veterans In Texas Recreational Benefits
Free Drivers License for Texas Disabled Veterans
DisabledVeterans in Texas with at least a 60% VA disability rating and anhonorable discharge can get a Texas drivers license or ID card for free.
Texas Disabled Veterans Free Hunting and Fishing License
Disabled Veterans in Texas with an honorable discharge and a 50%or greater VA disability rating, or who have suffered the loss of use of a footor leg as a result of service, can get a free SuperCombo Hunting and Fishing License each year.
The Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package is availableat no cost for Texas Disabled Veterans.
The Super Combo License Package includes:
- Resident hunting license
- Federal Duck Stamp is NOT included, but isrequired for waterfowl hunting
Disabled Veterans State Park Admission
The DisabledVeterans passport allows free entry to Texas state parks for TexasDisabled Veterans with a 60% or more service-connected disability or loss oflower extremity.
One additional person may assist the pass holder at a reduced rateof 50% of the standard entry fee.
Present valid identification and oneof the following to get your passport:
- Disabled Veterans of Texas license plate receipt
- Veterans VA Disability Summary Award Verification Letter
- Tax exemption letter for Texas veterans
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Texas Disabled Veteran Homes
Conveniently located across Texas, each first-class facility isdesigned to enhance the quality of life with a clean, caring and dignifiedsetting appropriate to those men and women who have served our country withhonor.
As of March 2020, there are nine homes for Disabled TexasVeterans in the following Texas cities:
Because the VA subsidizes much of a Veterans cost to stay at aVLB Texas State Veterans Home, daily out-of-pocket rates are well below averageand include the cost of medications for Veterans.
Residents can choose between a spacious private or semi-privateroom based upon availability.
Memory Care units at each home provide highly specialized care,including beautifully landscaped, secure courtyards.
Like all VLB programs, the Texas State Veterans Homes areself-supporting and cost Texas taxpayers virtually nothing.
Texas Veteran Education Benefits
Texas offers a wide variety of Educational Benefits to resident veterans and their dependents.
State Educational Benefits can be used in conjunction with the National Educational Benefits
Visit the following link for a full list:
Contact the Education Services Team at: 463-3168 or 898-3833
Hazlewood Act
The Hazlewood Act is a State of Texas benefit that provides qualified veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours tuition free college at state schools. This does NOT include living expenses, books, or supply fees.
The veteran must have:
- been a Texas resident when they entered the service
- served at least 181 days active duty
- used up all federal VA education benefits
- not be in default on a state student loans
- meet GPA, academic progress and credit hour requirements
Legacy Act
Veterans eligible for the Hazlewood Act can assign unused hours to a child under certain conditions.
The child must:
- be a Texas resident.
- be the biological child, stepchild, adopted child, or claimed as a dependent in the current or previous tax year.
- be 25 years old or younger on the first day of the semester or term
- meet GPA, academic progress, and credit hour requirements
- Only one child can use Hazelwood Legacy benefits at a time.
Hazlewood Act for Spouse/Child
Like the normal Hazlewood act, the veteran must have been a Texas resident when they entered the service.
A spouse must:
A child must:
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Disabled Veteran Or Survivors Of A Disabled Veteran
You qualify for this exemption if you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces and your service branch or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has officially classified you as disabled with a percentage of 10% or more.
- You must be a Texas resident.
- Your application can apply to any one property you own on January 1 on which property taxes are assessed.
- You must complete an application and attach a copy of a current dated letter from the Veterans Administration reflecting the percent of disability awarded.
- You must file the application by April 30 or late file no than five years after the delinquency date.
- A surviving spouse or child may also qualify to continue this exemption a surviving spouse may continue the exemption if the survivor does not remarry.
- When the disabled veteran attains age 65, is totally blind in one or both eyes, or has lost the use of one or both limbs, they will qualify for 100% of the maximum exemption amount of $12,000 offered regardless of the disability percentage awarded by the V.A.
- A surviving spouse or child of an armed forces member killed on active duty may qualify for this exemption.
- The surviving child, under age 18 and unmarried, or surviving spouse must be a Texas resident.
- An application must be completed along with a letter from the Veterans Administration showing the person died while on active duty, copy of your marriage license a surviving child must attach a copy of proof of age and relationship to the deceased.
Percent Disabled Veteran And Surviving Spouse Frequently Asked Questions
Translation:
Tax Code Section 11.131 provides an exemption of the total appraised value of the residence homestead of Texas veterans awarded 100 percent compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs due to a 100 percent disability rating or determination of individual unemployability by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
No. This exemption only applies to a disabled veteran’s residence homestead.
Disabled veterans owning property other than a residence homestead may qualify for a different exemption under Tax Code Section 11.22, which can be applied to any property the disabled veteran owns. Additional information on the qualification, application deadlines and how to apply for the disabled veteran exemption is available in the Disabled Veteran and Surviving Spouse FAQ. An eligible disabled veteran may receive both exemptions.
Yes. A disabled veteran with a service-connected disability awarded 100 percent disability compensation and a disability rating of 100 percent is eligible for this exemption.
No. A disabled veteran with a service-connected disability awarded 100 percent disability compensation is eligible for this exemption if he or she is either 100 percent disabled or is unemployable.
The deadline for filing an exemption is April 30. However, the Tax Code allows applications for certain exemptions to be filed after the deadline has passed.
The total appraised value of the disabled veteran’s residence homestead.
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