(a) Definitions. In this section, the following words have the meanings indicated.
(1) “Disabled veteran” has the meaning stated in § 9-265 of the Tax-Property Article of the State Code.
(2) “Dwelling house” has the meaning stated in § 9-265 of the Tax-Property Article of the State Code.
(3) “Surviving spouse” means the spouse of a deceased disabled veteran who has not remarried since the death of the veteran.
(b) Creation. There is a tax credit from County real property taxes levied on a dwelling house owned by an eligible disabled veteran or by an eligible surviving spouse of the disabled veteran.
(c) Eligibility. A disabled veteran or the disabled veteran’s surviving spouse is eligible for a property tax credit under this section if:
(1) the dwelling house is owned by the disabled veteran or the disabled veteran’s surviving spouse;
(2) the federal adjusted gross income for the disabled veteran or the disabled veteran’s surviving spouse for the immediately preceding taxable year does not exceed $100,000;
(3) for a surviving spouse, the disabled veteran qualified for and received a tax credit under this section at the time of death; and
(4) the application requirements of this section are met.
(d) Calculation.
(1) The tax credit for a disabled veteran shall be calculated and credited as provided in § 9-265 of the Tax-Property Article of the State Code.
(2) The tax credit for a surviving spouse shall be calculated and credited based on the calculation under § 9-265 of the Tax-Property Article of the State Code for the disabled veteran prior to the disabled veteran’s death.
(e) Duration.
(1) For a disabled veteran, the tax credit shall be available for each taxable year that a disabled veteran is eligible under subsection (c).
(2) For a surviving spouse, the tax credit shall be available until the surviving spouse remarries.
(f) Time for filing of application or renewal. An application for, or renewal of, the tax credit shall be filed on or before April 1 immediately before the taxable year for which the tax credit is sought. If the application or renewal is filed after April 1, the credit shall be disallowed that year but shall be treated as an application or renewal for a tax credit for the following taxable year.
(g) Form of application. An application for, or for the renewal of, the tax credit shall be made on a form provided by the Controller’s Office, with certification of eligibility of the disabled veteran or surviving spouse and any additional information the Controller believes to be necessary to determine qualification for the credit.
(h) Termination of credit. The tax credit shall terminate for the upcoming taxable year if:
(1) the disabled veteran or the surviving spouse no longer occupies the dwelling as a primary residence; or
(2) the surviving spouse remarries.
(Bill No. 105-20; Bill No. 50-23)