These application instructions from the Newport News Commissioner of the Revenue explain how the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran applies for exemption from local real estate tax on the home where the spouse lives. It is one of the Newport News property tax forms handled by the Commissioner's office. The page lets you fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the Commissioner of the Revenue publishes the original at www.nnva.gov/cor.
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What is Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran Real Estate Tax Exemption Application Instructions – Newport News, VA?
The Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran Real Estate Tax Exemption Application Instructions are the City of Newport News Commissioner of the Revenue's instruction sheet for the application used to request exemption from local real estate tax on the principal residence of a disabled veteran's surviving spouse.
The instructions walk through the application in order: the veteran's and the spouse's name, date of birth and Social Security number, the address of the principal residence to be exempted, a mailing address if different, phone numbers, and four yes or no questions with the date of remarriage if applicable. They also tell you to complete the top section of the Veterans Certificate of Disability Form and return it with the application.
The exemption comes from a constitutional amendment approved by Virginia voters on November 2, 2010, followed by Code of Virginia sections 58.1-3219.5 and 58.1-3219.6. Under section 58.1-3219.5, real property of a veteran rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as 100% service-connected, permanent and totally disabled, who lives in it as a principal residence, is exempt. The surviving spouse also qualifies under conditions described below.
The Commissioner of the Revenue also publishes related Disabled Veterans Tax Relief documents, including the form used to obtain disability certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Who needs to file Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran Real Estate Tax Exemption Application Instructions – Newport News, VA?
The main group is the surviving spouse of a veteran who was eligible for the disabled veteran real estate tax exemption and who owns or lives in the veteran's real property as a principal residence in Newport News.
According to the Commissioner's page, a surviving spouse qualifies when all of these are true:
- the veteran's death occurred on or after January 1, 2011;
- the surviving spouse does not remarry;
- the surviving spouse continues to occupy the real property as his or her principal place of residence.
The underlying veteran must have been rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as 100% service-connected, permanent and totally disabled. A July 15, 2011 opinion of Virginia's Attorney General clarified that veterans paid at the 100% rate because of individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are also covered.
The application asks whether the spouse has remarried, and it asks for the date of remarriage if so. A veteran who is still living and applies for the exemption personally is not the audience of this surviving-spouse sheet; the Commissioner's page describes a separate application for that case.
When to file Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran Real Estate Tax Exemption Application Instructions – Newport News, VA
The instructions print no filing deadline. The triggering event is the death of the disabled veteran on or after January 1, 2011, while the surviving spouse has not remarried and still lives in the home as a principal residence.
The Commissioner's page says the exemption applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. Newport News assesses real estate tax by fiscal year, July 1 through June 30, with bills dated June 5 and December 5. For how the timing of your application affects a particular bill, call the Commissioner of the Revenue at (757)926-8653.
Documents you need
- A certified copy of the disabled veteran's death certificate; the Commissioner's page says it must confirm a date of death on or after January 1, 2011.
- A copy of the marriage license to the disabled veteran; the Commissioner's page also refers to certified documentation of marriage to the qualified veteran.
- Proof of residency, such as a utility bill (Dominion Energy) or a bank statement.
- A copy of your state issued ID card.
- The Veterans Certificate of Disability Form with its top section completed, returned together with the application.
How to fill out Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran Real Estate Tax Exemption Application Instructions – Newport News, VA
Enter the disabled veteran's details
Write the name, date of birth and Social Security number of the disabled veteran.
Enter the surviving spouse's details
Write the name, date of birth and Social Security number of the spouse of the disabled veteran.
Give the principal residence address
Enter the address of the principal residence to be exempted from local real estate tax.
Add a different mailing address
If your mailing address differs from the principal residence, enter it in the mailing address space.
List your phone numbers
Enter your home phone number and an alternate phone number, each with the area code.
Answer the four yes or no questions
Answer each of the next four questions yes or no. Include the date of remarriage if it applies.
Complete the Veterans Certificate of Disability
Fill in the top section of the Veterans Certificate of Disability Form so it can be returned with the application.
Gather the required attachments
Collect the certified death certificate copy, the marriage license copy, proof of residency and the copy of your state issued ID card to attach to the application.
Review the declaration and sign
Read the declaration carefully before signing. Your signature declares, under penalty of law, that all statements are true and correct.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check every entry against your documents, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and submit it through the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran Real Estate Tax Exemption Application Instructions – Newport News, VA
You can mail the completed application with the required documents to the Commissioner of the Revenue, or deliver it in person to either office.
- In person: City Hall, 2400 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia 23607, or the Satellite office, 12912 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, Virginia 23608.
- By mail: address it to the Commissioner of the Revenue, City of Newport News. The instructions list the two office addresses above and no separate mailing address.
Send the application together with the documents listed under Required documents and the top section of the Veterans Certificate of Disability Form. The Commissioner's office lists these contacts: telephone (757)926-8653 (questions about the program and help), fax (757)247-2628. The application can also be downloaded from www.nnva.gov/cor. The instructions mention no fee and no online filing channel. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving out the certified copy of the veteran's death certificate, or sending an uncertified one when the instructions ask for a certified copy.
- Omitting the copy of the marriage license to the disabled veteran.
- Sending a utility bill or bank statement that does not serve as proof of residency, or skipping proof of residency altogether.
- Forgetting the copy of your state issued ID card.
- Returning the application without completing the top section of the Veterans Certificate of Disability Form.
- Skipping the four yes or no questions, or not entering the date of remarriage when it applies.
- Signing without reading the declaration; your signature states under penalty of law that every statement is true and correct.
- Omitting the mailing address when it differs from the principal residence address.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for the surviving spouse real estate tax exemption in Newport News?
A surviving spouse of an eligible disabled veteran qualifies if the veteran died on or after January 1, 2011, the spouse has not remarried, and the spouse still occupies the property as a principal residence. The veteran must have been rated 100% service-connected, permanent and totally disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
What documents do I attach to the surviving spouse tax exemption application?
Attach a certified copy of the veteran's death certificate, a copy of the marriage license to the disabled veteran, proof of residency such as a Dominion Energy utility bill or a bank statement, and a copy of your state issued ID. Also return the top section of the Veterans Certificate of Disability Form.
Where do I turn in the application in Newport News?
Mail it to the Commissioner of the Revenue or deliver it in person to City Hall, 2400 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia 23607, or the Satellite office, 12912 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, Virginia 23608. For help, call (757)926-8653.
What happens to the exemption if I remarry?
The Commissioner's page lists not remarrying as a condition for the surviving spouse to qualify. The application includes yes or no questions where you give the date of remarriage if it applies, so report it accurately and call (757)926-8653 with questions.
Does the veteran have to be rated 100% disabled?
Yes. The exemption covers veterans rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as 100% service-connected, permanent and totally disabled. A July 15, 2011 Attorney General opinion says veterans paid at the 100% rate because of individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are included.
Is there a deadline to file the surviving spouse application?
The instructions print no deadline. The Commissioner's page says the exemption applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2011, and that Newport News assesses by fiscal year, July 1 to June 30. Call (757)926-8653 to confirm which bill your application will affect.
Can I fill out this Newport News application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, not affiliated with the City of Newport News, and does not file the application; you submit it by mail or in person to the Commissioner of the Revenue.
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