Trenton – Legislation sponsored by Senator Dawn Marie Addiego and Senator Troy Singleton, which would make surviving spouses of veterans eligible for the state’s $6,000 income tax exemption for veterans, cleared the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee today.
The exemption is currently only available to surviving spouses if their veteran spouse died that year. The bill, S-717, would allow spouses to receive the exemption every year going forward.
“The sacrifices made throughout the years by the wives, husbands and partners of our veterans are immeasurable,” said Senator Addiego (D-Atlantic/Burlington/Camden). “There are not enough ways to thank veterans for all they have done for our country, but making sure their loved ones are supported if they pass is an important place to start.”
“Veterans were asked to give a lifetime’s worth of service to this country, and when they pass away we should extend our gratitude to their surviving spouses,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). “Extending the income tax exemption after a veterans death will go a long way towards alleviating the financial burdens these families may face.”
The bill would extend the gross income tax exemption to the surviving spouse of a veteran who: died while on active duty; was honorably discharged from active duty; or was released from active duty under honorable circumstances.
If a surviving spouse remarries or cohabitates with another person and holds that person out to be their spouse, they would no longer be eligible to receive the exemption.
The bill was released from the committee by a vote of 5-0.