Wilton voters will get to decide at Town Meeting whether the town will extend its veterans property tax credit to all veterans, rather than just those who have served during times of combat.
Recently, the state Legislature passed RSA 72:28-b, which allows towns to extend a veterans tax credit to any resident, or spouse or surviving spouse of any resident who has served at least 90 days in active service in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Wilton currently allows veterans who served during a qualifying war or armed conflict to claim a $350 tax credit.
Selectman Bill Condra said that if the town adopts this additional credit exemption, he doubts it will have a significant impact on the tax base. He pointed out that in times of non-conflict, the percentage of people who serve in the armed forces is low – less than 1 percent of the population. “I don’t think we’re at too great of a risk of an avalanche of veterans applying for this exemption,” said Condra, adding that it was likely a good portion of the town’s veterans were already receiving the $350 credit.
To qualify for the new tax credit, veterans have to have served a minimum of 90 days and have been honorably discharged. Those already claiming a disability tax credit or an armed conflict veterans tax credit are not eligible.
The Select Board unanimously agreed to put an article on the Town Meeting warrant in March to allow the public to decide whether to adopt the tax credit. The article would require a majority vote.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.