VOTE YES TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF TO SURVIVING SPOUSES OF MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
SUMMARY
On the ballot this year, Virginians will have the opportunity to vote for a constitutional amendment to provide equitable tax relief to surviving spouses of military service members who died in the line of duty.
CURRENT EXEMPTIONS FOR VETERANS AND MILITARY SPOUSES
The Virginia Constitution provides property tax relief for certain members of the military and their spouses:
In 2010, Virginia voters approved a property tax exemption for veterans who have a 100% service-connected permanent and total disability and their spouses at their principal place of residence.
In 2014, Virginia voters agreed to a property tax exemption for surviving spouses of members of the United States Armed Forces who were killed in action, as determined by the U.S. Department of Defense.
PLEASE VOTE YES ON THIS AMENDMENT
We should recognize the broad scope of service and sacrifice made by our service members and their families. Service members who were killed in the line of duty, including in training or operational accidents, were serving essential roles defending our nation. Supporting this amendment is a sign of our Commonwealth’s enduring gratitude for their sacrifice.
This amendment brings fairness to tax relief benefits for families of Virginians who made the ultimate sacrifice, regardless of how they died in the line of duty.
According to the United States Department of Defense Actuarial Report in 2021, out of over 8.5 million Virginians, there are only 182 surviving spouses, including those of individuals killed in the line of duty. If approved, this constitutional amendment would be meaningful and impactful for this small community of surviving spouses.
Delegate Kathy Tran and Senator Jeremy McPike carried this change to the Virginia Constitution at the request of a surviving spouse affected by this oversight. It passed unanimously in both the House of Delegates and state Senate.
If you have questions, please contact Delegate Tran at connect@kathyfordelegate.com or (703) 539-2066, or contact Senator McPike at mcpikeforsenate@gmail.com or (571) 316-0581.