Totally disabled veteran real property tax exemption: If you are a VA disabled veteran rated 100 percent “permanently and totally disabled,” your principle residence is exempt from property taxes — except for the minimum tax of $150 for FY2015. This
Totally disabled veteran real property tax exemption:
If you are a VA disabled veteran rated 100 percent “permanently and totally disabled,” your principle residence is exempt from property taxes — except for the minimum tax of $150 for FY2015. This benefit also extends to unmarried widows/widowers of eligible deceased veterans. Applicants must apply for this special exemption at the County Tax Assessment Office by completing the Totally Disabled Application (RP Form P-6 (Rev. 5/94) and providing VA’s proof of eligibility.
Once approved, the home tax exemption will remain valid as long as the veteran claiming the exemption remains totally disabled or the widow or widower of the totally disabled veteran remains unmarried and resides on the subject property as their principle residence. Any change in VA disability status must be reported to the Tax Office immediately.
Questions? Visit the Kauai County Tax Assessment Office during normal working hours.
Source: http://www.kauai.gov/Government/Departments/Finance/RealProperty/ExemptionInformation/tabid/95/selecttabid/94/Default.aspx#disabled
Veterans Identification Card Act of 2015
Both the House and Senate have unanimously passed a bill to create a nationwide veterans’ identification card, which will make it much easier for veterans to prove eligibility for a veteran’s discount at restaurants and businesses nationwide. Currently, in most states veterans are required to prove their eligibility for the discount by showing a legible copy of their DD-214.
The new Veterans Identification Card eliminates this hassle for veterans. However, it is important to note that this new card does not replace the requirement to provide a copy of the DD-214 when applying for certain federal benefits. DO NOT discard the DD-214.
The DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, is issued to veterans by the Department of Defense upon separation from active military service. The DD-214 is an 8.5 -by-11 piece of paper, which becomes old and brittle over time making it impractical to carry around in a wallet.
Currently, the only veteran’s identification cards issued by the VA is to those veterans enrolled in the VA Health Care program and is known as the Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC). This new veteran’s card will not replace the VHIC or the official DoD Military Retiree ID Card issued to veterans with 20 years or more active service. These veterans will not be eligible to apply for this new card.
The VA will administer the application/issue process of this new card. Applying for this new card is optional and veterans must pay a small fee to cover the cost of the program. The VA will be announcing costs and issue procedures over the next few months. Source: http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/veterans/2015/07/08/id-cards-veterans/29852467/
Vietnam War Commemoration
The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Committee on Kauai is seeking interested persons, organizations and businesses to participate in island-wide recognition events and activities for our Vietnam War veterans. To get involved, attend the Kauai Veterans Council meetings held at 5 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the Kauai Veterans Center.
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Tony Elliott can be reached at the Kauai Office of Veterans’ Services at 241-3348.