Homestead Tax Exemption for Veterans Passed in Louisiana
?Do I have to sue the other party after a wreck?
?What is pain and suffering?
?Who should pay my medical bills after I'm injured in a wreck? My health insurance or their car insurance?
"And I was really worried because I had been fighting for years. Every question I've asked he has explained it. If I didn't understand it, he would break it down where it really made sense." Sharon Bazajou, Kenner, LA
"He gave me a lot of information that we didn't even know, like what's important to tell the doctors." Amanda Thomas, Destrehan, LA
In the November 4, 2014, election, Louisiana voters overwhelmingly approved amendment seven which increased the homestead exemption for veterans with a 100 percent unemployability rating. The amendment passed with 74 percent of the vote.
Louisiana homeowners are exempt from paying property taxes on the first $75,000 of the assessed value of an owner-occupied home. Since 2010, veterans rated with 100 percent "service-connected disability" have received a homestead exemption of $150,000. This created situations where disabled veterans with an 80 percent "service-connected disability" rating, but a 100 percent "unemployability" rating did not receive the tax exemption.
The new amendment allows parishes to grant 100 percent unemployable veterans the additional homestead exemption without the need for a parish-wide election to approve it. The disability still has to be service connected, but not necessarily incurred as a result of combat.
The amendment had a large majority of votes in every Louisiana parish:
Avoyelles
Bienville
Bossier
Calcasieu
Catahoula
East Baton Rouge
East Carroll
East Feliciana
Lafourche
Ouachita
Pointe Coupee
Rapides
St. Landry
St. Tammany
Tangipahoa
Tensas
West Baton Rouge
West Carroll
West Feliciana