(KNSI) — Surviving spouses of disabled veterans are falling into an unintended gap pertaining to the Homestead Market Value Exclusion. The previous policy allowed widows to take advantage of the policy for eight years after the death of their partner. In 2019 that was expanded to allow the exclusion until a spouse remarries or the property is sold.
The revision did not apply the new standard retroactively, leaving many widows of disabled veterans in the lurch. Those who had the exclusion sunset prior to 2019 are still unable to reinstate the measure, even if they otherwise qualify under the new legislation.
State Senator Jeff Howe is trying to change that. His bill was heard in the Senate Property Taxes Committee last week. It was laid over, meaning that it will be included in the omnibus budget being debated in St. Paul.