Tax benefit for WI's disabled veterans could increase eligibility
By WEAU 13
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- Wisconsin lawmakers are looking to heavily increase a tax credit that many disabled veterans benefit from each year.
Currently, only veterans who have 100 percent service-connected disabilities and their surviving spouses are eligible for this property tax benefit, but lawmakers are looking to change that.
The new legislative proposal would differ from the current program in that disabled veterans with a minimum of 70 percent service-connected disabilities would be included in the tax credit, saving more vets more money.
"It will definitely save veterans money. Property taxes are quite substantial in the state of Wisconsin, and with this new law coming out it will allow more veterans to use this benefit," says Beth Risen, Administrative Specialist for Eau Claire Veteran Services.
Lead author of the proposal, State Representative André Jacque says the idea came to him at an AMVET State Convention, talking to disabled veterans from around the state.
“Talking as well to county veteran service officers, they certainly see the need in terms of the veterans they are dealing with,” Jacque says.”[There are] significant challenges they face in terms of being employed, maintaining care and staying in communities.”
The proposed legislation would increase the number of disabled veterans receiving the property tax benefit; something that many community members are saying is well deserved.
“Veterans deserve any benefit available to them out there because they sacrifice so much for our country and they do have a lot of struggles when they return,” Risen says. “This is just one way of helping them and thanking them for their service."
According to the Department of Revenue, this legislation would be expected to increase the number of claimants by 3,300, at a total cost of $5.6 million.