(The Center Square) – Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill that will provide tax relief to Arizona’s disabled veterans.
Last week, the governor signed House Bill 2792, which exempts disabled veterans in Arizona from paying property taxes on their primary residence. The exemption also extends to the surviving spouses of disabled veterans.
The bill applies to tax years starting “from and after December 31, 2025.”
State Rep. Michael Carbone, R-Buckeye, who is HB 2792’s sponsor, told The Center Square that giving tax breaks to disabled veterans “is a very big deal.”
Carbone said Arizona has 600,000 veterans, with 23,000 of them being 100% disabled.
Of those 23,000 disabled veterans, 16,000 own homes, he noted.
These people served America “honorably,” and it’s the least Arizona “should be doing,” he said.
“I believe in our veterans and our military. Everything we have [is] because of them,” Carbone said.
He said the bill took nearly two years to develop, noting that some of its language needed to be revised.
The Republican legislator said he was not surprised the Democratic governor signed the bill.
“I’m grateful that she signed it. She did a great job, and I think she understands this is important for Arizonans,” he said.
Carbone said the disabled veterans he has discussed the bill with said the property tax relief will help them.
For example, he noted that in Maricopa County, the average property tax on a home is approximately $2,500. He explained this could save disabled veterans approximately $200 per month.
If a person’s bill is able to be lowered by $200 a month, that is “huge,” Carbone said.
At a press conference last week, Fernando Monarrez, who is a combat-wounded veteran, said seeing disabled veterans have an extra $2,500 annually would help them.
Danielle Stranik, an Army veteran, said this bill means a lot to her. Her dad was a 100% disabled veteran who almost became homeless.
“This bill would prevent homelessness for all of our veterans across the state and also welcome the opportunity for veterans to want to retire in our state and know our state supports them,” she said.
Even with this additional help for Arizona veterans, Carbone told The Center Square that Arizona ranks near the bottom in its support for veterans.
“I think there’s a lot more work that we can do in this area,” he said.
