House Bill 3613, which contains a provision requiring an exemption of the total appraised value of homesteads of Texas veterans receiving 100 percent disability compensation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, is now state law, announced Upshur County Chief Appraiser Sarah Pruit Curtis.

“This new exemption is effective for the 2009 tax year, and appraisers should ensure that it is reflected on the 2009 appraisal roll,” she said.

Eligible veterans with mortgages are to receive immediate confirmation that their homesteads are totally exempt so they can notify their mortgage companies and reduce their escrow payments, she said.

Appraisal districts should already have a record of the disability rating of each veteran who owns a homestead if they qualify for the partial exemption allowed by law. They need to contact the Upshur County Appraisal District office to get a form and apply for the 100 percent exemption.

This form is also located on a website at http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/vetexempt.pdf

The total homestead exemption for 100 percent disabled veterans is codified as the new Property Tax Code Section 11.131.

House Bill 3613 also includes provisions that conform the Tax Code bracket points for the disabled veterans’ partial exemption to the bracket points in the Texas Constitution and prohibit consideration of highest and best use in appraising homesteads.