Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2005

Introduced
1/13/25  
Refer
1/13/25  
Report Pass
3/14/25  
Refer
1/20/26  

Caption

Establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals and discontinuing the sales tax exemption for purchases made by certain qualifying military veterans.

Impact

The introduction of HB 2005 is expected to significantly amend state laws regarding property tax relief. It seeks to supplement existing homestead property tax refund programs while introducing new eligibility criteria focused on military veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities or total disability ratings. The legislation indicates a pivot in state policy toward providing greater support for veterans, potentially leading to an increase in financial security for this demographic. However, it also comes with the discontinuation of sales tax exemptions previously enjoyed by certain qualifying military veterans, which could lead to some financial backlash for those affected.

Summary

House Bill 2005, titled the Veterans' Valor Property Tax Relief Act, is designed to provide financial relief to veterans who have been deemed totally disabled due to their military service. The bill establishes an income tax credit for eligible veterans, aiming to alleviate the financial burden associated with property taxes on their primary residences. Notably, it sets forth provisions for a tax credit equaling 50% of property taxes paid by qualifying individuals, thereby directly impacting those who have served in the military and who face significant challenges in their post-service lives.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding the bill is generally positive, particularly among veterans advocacy groups and proponents of military support initiatives. Advocates argue that it represents a necessary acknowledgment and recompense for the sacrifices made by veterans. The discussions highlight a strong sentiment of support for providing safety nets for disabled veterans, viewing the financial relief as a well-deserved benefit. However, the decision to repeal sales tax exemptions has drawn some criticism, creating a nuanced debate about how best to support these veterans without complicating their financial situations further.

Contention

A notable point of contention within the discussions of HB 2005 arises from the balance between providing meaningful tax relief while simultaneously removing existing tax exemptions for veterans. Opponents express concern that the removal of sales tax exemptions could negate the advantages brought by the new property tax relief credits, potentially leading to a net loss in financial benefit for some veterans. This tension underscores the complexities involved in crafting legislation aimed to assist veterans while managing state revenue needs.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2003

Establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, modifying the definition of household income and increasing the appraised value threshold for eligibility of seniors and disabled veterans related to increased property tax claims and citing the section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, providing property tax exemptions for certain personal property including watercraft, marine equipment, off-road vehicles, motorized bicycles and certain trailers, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value, providing for certain exclusions from the prohibition of paying taxes under protest after a valuation notice appeal and providing four prior years' values on the annual valuation notice.

KS SB2

Eliminating the income limit to qualify for the subtraction modification exempting social security benefits, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, citing the increased property tax homestead refund claim section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, decreasing the normal privilege tax rate, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, decreasing the rate of ad valorem tax imposed by a school district; providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund, reducing the state rate of tax on sales of food and food ingredients and modifying the percent credited to the state highway fund from revenue collected.

KS SB1

Modifying income tax rates for individuals, exempting all social security benefits from Kansas income tax, increasing the Kansas standard deduction and the Kansas personal exemption, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, decreasing the privilege tax normal tax, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value for property tax valuation purposes, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund and abolishing the local ad valorem tax reduction fund and the county and city revenue sharing fund.

KS SB6

Providing a sales tax exemption for sales of electricity to residential premises by municipally owned or operated utilities.

KS SB8

Exempting the sale of firearms, firearms accessories, ammunition, firearm safes and firearm safety devices from the retatilers' sales tax.

KS HB2001

Authorizing the secretary of commerce to enter into agreements with major professional sports franchises to establish STAR bond projects for a major professional sports complex, providing for additional revenue sources, expanding the powers and discretion of the secretary and making other changes to the STAR bonds financing act to facilitate such projects, limiting the secretary’s authority to approve such projects to one year unless extended by the legislative coordinating council, authorizing the Kansas development finance authority to issue STAR bonds for such projects, transferring funds under certain circumstances from the state gaming revenues fund to the attracting professional sports to Kansas fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and, if approved by the legislative coordinating council, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

KS HB2004

Authorizing counties to propose an earnings tax for ballot question.

KS SB5

Authorizing counties to impose an earnings tax.

KS HB2002

Expanding medical assistance eligibility and enacting the cutting healthcare costs for all Kansans act.

KS SCR1604

Proposing to amend section 1 of article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to limit property tax valuation increases for real property and personal property mobile homes.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.