Voter Guide: Ballot Question 2

Information for this article was taken from the Virginia Board of Elections and the Fairfax County Office of Elections.

The QUESTION

Shall the Constitution be amended to require the General Assembly to provide a real property tax exemption for the principal residence of a veteran, or his or her surviving spouse, if the veteran has a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability?

The EXPLANATION
Present Law

Currently, the Constitution does not grant real estate tax exemptions specifically to veterans. However, the Constitution does allow the General Assembly to give localities the power to grant full or partial exemptions from real estate taxes to persons 65 years of age or older or for persons permanently and totally disabled who "bear an extraordinary tax burden" in relation to their income and financial worth. This exemption applies to owner-occupied property used as the sole dwelling of such persons.

The PROPOSED AMENDMENT

The proposed amendment would require the General Assembly to pass a law exempting from local taxation the principal residence owned and occupied by any veteran with a one hundred percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability. The veteran's surviving spouse could continue to claim the exemption so long as he or she does not remarry and continues to occupy the home as his or her principal residence.

The RESPONSE

State Senator Toddy Puller, Delegate Dave Albo and Mount Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland all support the amendment.

Note: This Ballot Question was sponsored by Senator Puller.

View Question 1 HERE.

View Question 3 HERE.

View the Referendum HERE.