Kosciusko County veterans told to register by Dec. 30 after state changes to property tax relief

Veteran Service Officer Daryl McDowell told the Kosciusko County commissioners that a recent state law (referred to in his presentation as HB 1210) restructures veterans' property tax relief and requires veterans or surviving spouses to register to receive the new benefits.

"There is no grandfather clause," McDowell said. "If they don't file by 30 December, they are not going to get any cut from their taxes." He urged the county to use media and direct mail to reach veterans and noted county staff are coordinating with the auditor's office to streamline filings once state forms are available.

Under the changes McDowell described, the law creates tiered annual credits and preserves a 100% property tax exemption for veterans rated by the VA at 100% service-connected disability or awarded individual unemployability. McDowell summarized the credit levels he conveyed to commissioners: $250 for certain veterans (10% to 90% rating and age 62+ under the fact sheet he reviewed), $350 for wartime veterans, and a $600 combined credit when a veteran meets both age and wartime criteria. Separately, those with VA-rated 100% service-connected disability or eligible widows receiving DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) receive a full (100%) property tax exemption, he said.

McDowell cautioned that some earlier deduction-based rules (for example, a $14,000 deduction and an assessed-value cap that excluded higher-value homes) no longer apply under the new structure, and that county staff are waiting for updated state forms. He said officials expect updated forms by July and plan coordinated, in-person filing opportunities where the veteran service office and the auditor would work together to verify eligibility.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about caps on the 100% exemption and were told there is no cap: "It's whatever their property taxes are," McDowell said. He emphasized the responsibility lies with the veteran or surviving spouse to register by the deadline to receive the benefits.

County officials said they will use media outreach and direct mail to reach veterans and will follow the state's guidance when forms are released. The commission took no formal vote on this informational briefing; county staff said they will return with further implementation details when state forms arrive.