Disabled Veterans' Real Estate Tax Exemption
Who qualifies
- Income limit
- $114,637Need-based, not a hard cap. The State Veterans' Commission sets an annual 'presumptive' financial-need income level (applicants at or below it are presumed to have financial need), adjusted to $114,637 effective January 1, 2025. Applicants above the level may still qualify by showing monthly expenses exceed monthly income. Veterans' benefit payments are excluded from income; the amount is adjusted periodically.
- VA disability
- At least 100% service-connected disability
- Ownership
- Dwelling must be owned by the veteran (legally or as an equitable/beneficial owner) and used as principal residence.
- Residency
- Must be a resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and occupy the real estate as principal dwelling.
How much it saves
Worked example — a $300,000 home at Pennsylvania's median effective rate (~1.29%):
Your county's rate differs — use the calculator for a figure tuned to where you live.
How to apply
- Application required: Yes
- Deadline: No fixed annual deadline. Applies to real property taxes due on or after the date the applicant first files a written request with the county Board for the Assessment and Revision of Taxes.
- Renewal: other — Once granted, generally continues without annual reapplication, though the Commission/board may require periodic recertification of eligibility and financial need.
Combining with other exemptions
Upon the death of a qualified veteran, the exemption may pass to the unmarried surviving spouse if financial need is shown.
Amount cross-checked against a second official artifact: pa.gov/agencies/dmva/pennsylvania-veterans/forms-and-pubs/together-we-serve/together-we-serve---january-2025/together-we-serve-january-2025-full-length-articles.
Informational only — not legal or tax advice. Exemption rules and amounts are summarized from official statutes and state tax-agency sources as of each program's verified date and can change by legislative session. Dollar figures are estimates derived from Census ACS county tax data, not actual bills. Confirm your eligibility and current amounts with your county assessor before relying on anything here.