100% Disabled Veterans and Unremarried Surviving Spouse: Michigan Property Tax Exemption

Affidavit Required in December

In late 2013 the state legislature and the governor enacted Public Act 161 of 2013, the Disabled Veterans Exemption.  This act gives qualifying disabled veterans or their unremarried surviving spouses a property tax exemption for their primary residence in Michigan.  For some qualifying veterans, not having to pay their property taxes could mean the difference of staying in their current home or having to move.

Summary of Benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will be mailing out to all veterans who receive benefits their ‘summary of benefits’ letter in the month of November and December.  The veteran will need that summary along with Michigan Treasury Form 5107.   The surviving unremarried spouse will need to provide the last summary of benefits letter or other documentation showing the qualifying veterans status at time of death and Form 5107.

To Be Done Annually

Every city tax assessor may have a different procedure for applying, but the information they need is the same.  Call your local tax assessor for details on applying for the exemption.

Who Qualifies?

To be eligible for the exemption, the disabled veteran must have been

• Honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States

• They must be a Michigan resident

Additionally, they must meet one of the following criteria:

• Has been determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to be permanently and totally disabled because of military service and entitled to veteran benefits at the 100 percent rate.

• Has a certificate from the United States Veterans Administration, or its successors, certifying that he or she is receiving or has received pecuniary assistance due to disability for specially adapted housing.

• Has been rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as individually unemployable.

Note:  The unremarried surviving spouse of the disabled veteran is eligible for the exemption based upon the eligibility of their spouse; therefore, the spouse must also be a Michigan resident. The exemption will continue only if the surviving spouse remains unremarried and in the same resident.  The benefit does not transfer to a new residency.

Find Out More Information

The Michigan Treasury website is not easy to find information on this, here are three alternatives:

1. Using Google search type in the following term: “Michigan Treasury Disabled Veterans Exemption.”  Click the result referencing http://www.michigan.gov/taxes/0,4676,7-238-43535-235988--,00.html

2. For a time michiganlegion.org front page will have links to the website

3. Mivabenefits.org/resources has the links need to learn more about your situation

4. Call 1-800-MICH-VET to ask questions

If you work with or know a veteran or spouse of a disabled veteran share this information.  Spread the word at your local post.  

Don’t miss out on this benefit!

The American Legion Department of Michigan represents over 70,000 members in the State of Michigan. The American Legion was founded in 1919, based on “The Four Pillars”; veteran rehabilitation, Americanism, child welfare, and national security and continued above all its mission as a consumers’ advocate for veterans. For more information contact the Michigan Legion at 517-371-4720 ext 16, mark@michiganlegion.org, or visit our website at www.michiganlegion.org.