BOE Member George Runner

Legislation sponsored by George Runner to protect California’s disabled veterans has become law. Senate Bill 1113, authored by Senator Steve Knight (R-Antelope Valley), passed the Legislature with unanimous, bipartisan support, and has been signed by Governor Brown.

“This new law will help those who bravely served our country,” said Runner. “Bureaucratic delays will never again rob veterans of the tax benefits that are rightfully theirs.”

Under California law, veterans who receive a 100 percent disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may be eligible for a property tax exemption on the value of their home up to $124,932 or $187,399 in 2014 and equivalent amounts adjusted for inflation in future years. The exemption starts on the date of disability and disabled veterans may claim a refund for up to four years of back taxes paid.

Unfortunately, due to VA backlogs, some veterans have had to wait more than four years to receive their disability rating certifications. As a result, they’ve missed out on thousands of dollars in property tax refunds to which they were entitled and anticipated receiving.

SB 1113 increases the availability of refunds on taxes previously paid from four years to eight years, allowing veterans to receive the full benefit of their exemption, even if the rating process takes more than four years to complete.

“Veterans who are disabled as a direct result of serving our country shouldn’t be harmed by delays over which they have no control,” said Knight. “Now disabled veterans who encounter bureaucratic delays can still claim this key property tax exemption to which they are entitled.”

The full Board of Equalization voted to support SB 1113 at its March 25 meeting, and the measure has also received support from the California Assessors’ Association, California Taxpayers Association, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and a broad coalition of veterans’ organizations.

Former Sen. George Runner represents the 2nd district, which includes the Santa Clarita Valley, on the state Board of Equalization.