CT HB05231

Allows municipalities to freeze property taxes for qualified disabled veterans at the amount owed in the first year a claim is approved, with the frozen amount continuing in subsequent years even if actual tax liability increases.

Eligible applicants must be veterans with service-connected disabilities rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, their spouses living with them, or surviving spouses of qualified veterans, and must occupy the property as their primary home.

Requires applicants to have resided in Connecticut for at least one year and have qualifying income (taxable and nontaxable combined) not exceeding limits set in section 12-170aa, adjusted annually.

Surviving spouses and joint owners can continue the frozen tax rate after the veteran's death as long as they meet eligibility requirements and maintain domicile in the property.

Takes effect October 1, 2018, and applies to assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2018; municipalities must approve the program through their legislative bodies before implementation.