Sixth in a series
On the Nov. 6 ballot, Amendment 2 would permit partially or totally permanently disabled veterans, age 65 or older, to receive a special homestead property exemption if t
hey moved to Florida after they entered the military. The amendment would:
Expand the availability of an additional $25,000 homestead exemption for veterans who become disabled following a combat injury.
Correct an inequity by providing a modest tax exemption to veterans who are now Florida residents, an exemption that is already available to veterans who were Florida residents when they entered the military.
Provide that the size of the tax break will depend on the veteran’s percentage of disability and severity, and the amount of time served overseas.
Take effect Jan. 1, 2013, and would have a minimal fiscal impact on Florida’s budget — $14.9 million statewide spread over the first three years, and $7.6 million annually thereafter.
If this property tax exemption passes, it doesn’t mean that local governments will “lose” the projected annual savings to disabled veterans. Local governments can increase the millage rate to make up for the lost tax revenue, in which case the savings to veterans would be made up by other property owners.
The downside of this amendment is that it creates yet another convolution in Florida’s inequitable property tax system. Opponents of the amendment make the valid point that Florida’s tax system is too complex, and gives too many tax breaks to certain groups. Some would say that if we want to help disabled veterans, we should cut taxes for everyone.
Florida’s tax inequitability also enters the picture, for example, under the Save Our Homes law, because residents in homes of identical market value may pay significantly different taxes than their neighbors for identical government services.
This and other growing tax inequities call for a complete review of the state’s property tax structure. Until that is done, some would maintain we do not need to introduce additional wrinkles and complexities.
But here’s the problem with that argument: Any significant tax reforms in Florida are most likely years away. Providing a tax discount to disabled veterans would offer a small reward for those who have sacrificed for our country. There’s no reason to ignore the plight of disabled veterans and deny them tax relief just because government hasn’t gotten around to correcting the flaws in the system.
Vote Yes on Amendment 2 if you want to give an additional tax break to Florida homeowners who are disabled veterans, age 65 or older.
About John R. Smith
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This is a tough one because it is emotional. A homestead exemption is a good thing because it cuts taxes. But on the other hand, taxes should be applied equitably to all, with no groups handed an advantage over other groups. Fla has a jumbled tax system that needs revision badly. However, in the case of totally permanently disabled veterans who sacrificed so much for you and me and their country, an exception is justified. Give them the tax break.
Letting seniors vote for more spending without having to pay the taxes to pay for the spending is a recipe for disaster.
If taxes are too high lets lower spending so we can lower taxes to a rate we can all afford. This just allows the senior citizens to keep voting for the government to take care of them by taxing the rest of us.
We will all be told how our local governments need more revenue and how its patriotic to raise the tax rates to pay for this “beak”
How can anyone deny these vets who were injured fightng for our country? Give these heroes the homestead exemption! The real problem with taxes lays with irresponsible government spending. I find it perverse that each year governemt officials get excellen t medicle benefits, cost of living increases and some being salaried for life and when it comes time to cut spending the go right for social security and medicaid. The governemnt works for us…put the people first!