Home ownership comes with plenty of expenses beyond a mortgage. If you're a veteran with disabilities, you may be able to avoid some common costs of owning a home, including paying property taxes. Here is a guide to some of the ways veterans with disabilities can save on their home ownership tax expenses:
Property tax exemption
Property taxes make up some of the largest expenses homeowners face throughout the life of the home. Usually paid annually, property taxes vary depending on where you live. However, the tax amount is based on factors like the size of the property, livable square footage and major upgrades like swimming pools.
The good news for veterans with qualified disabilities is many states offer property tax breaks and even full exemptions. To find out if you're eligible for this benefit, seek out local government resources or consult a list of participating states online.
Home modification credits
Another way veterans with disabilities can save on home ownership and taxes is with home modification credits. If you make certain improvements or add specific home features to help accommodate your disability, you may be able to claim these expenses as a medical deduction when filing your tax return. Eligible upgrades would include things like wheelchair ramps, widening doorways, chair lifts and any other features meant to improve accessibility at home.
Care expense credits
Married veterans can be eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Credit if they've hired additional care services due to disability. The amount of the credit depends on the amount you spend on care during the tax year as well as combined income levels. Due to recent changes, this credit is also completely refundable, which means you can receive money back even if you don't owe any other taxes.
These are all ways veterans with disabilities can save on the ongoing expenses of owning a home. To find out if you're eligible for any of the above benefits, consult a tax professional.
About the Author
Judy Szablak
With over 30 years in the industry, Realtor Judy Szablak has been on national television for her real estate expertise on the HGTV Network, featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio "Morning Living” , NPR radio as an expert real estate panelist, It’s Relevant News channel, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal for her in depth knowledge of Fairfield County Connecticut real estate.
She was also on the local NPR radio station (WSHU) as a Fairfield County CT real estate expert. Judy has provided multiple online respected news sources with her real estate expertise including The Daily Easton, The Daily Weston, The Daily Fairfield, The Daily Stamford and The Daily Greenwich, as well as in print in the New York Post. She is a weekly Real Estate Columnist for WestportNow.com, another real estate column "Real Estate With Judy” is syndicated through Hearst CT Media Online and seen in The Connecticut Post, The Danbury News-Times, The Stamford Advocate, The Greenwich Time, The Hour, Fairfield Citizen, Westport News, Darien News, New Canaan News and the Wilton Villager.
Judy is also the author of the book, The Art of Buying or Selling a Home, available at all major book retailers. Additionally, Judy has been nationally recognized in a number of national real estate trade magazines, some with distribution to over 1 million members. She was featured in Real Estate Today as early as 1994 for her commitment to, and implementation of technology in real estate. Judy appeared in the Certified Residential Specialist Magazine, as she provided advice on marketing strategies and ethics in the article titled "Marketing Makeovers.”
Judy was also featured in REALTOR® Magazine, regarding image enhancement for Realtors. She was again featured in REALTOR® Magazine, in an article on "Achieving Flow” and operating at optimal peak performance. In another article in the same publication, Judy offered guidance to fellow real estate professionals as she explored the topic of implementing and maintaining personal websites. She has appeared in The Council of Residential Specialists Magazine, which featured her ideas regarding technology. Additionally, Judy authored an article on marketing and technology for the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Online Magazine. On two occasions, in 2015 and 2017, she appeared as a featured agent in Top Agent Magazine. I have a few other websites- www.TheCtrealtyBlog.com www.CtHomesAndRealEstate.com www.BestWestportHomes.com www.ThePetitePowerhouse.com www,SzablakConsulting.com
