Veterans (Veteran Benefits)

Urging the Indiana General Assembly to prioritize legislation during the 2027 budget year establishing property tax credits for unemployable Hoosier veterans who are permanently and totally disabled.

Provides that a person may not receive compensation for: (1) the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of; or (2) advising, consulting, or assisting an individual regarding; a veterans' benefits matter, except as permitted under federal law. Provides that a person may not receive compensation for referring an individual to another person to provide services related to veterans' benefits matters. Provides that a person may not receive excessive or unreasonable fees for services related to veterans' benefits matters. Provides that a person may not condition the repayment of fees: (1) upon the opening of a joint account with the recipient of veterans' benefits from which the person may make withdrawals; (2) upon the use of electronic funds transfers; or (3) by requiring an individual to act, in any manner, in violation of federal requirements relating to preauthorized transactions. Provides that a person may not collect, or attempt to collect, any fee for services rendered after receipt of benefits by a veteran or any other individual eligible for the benefits, if the person participated in the veterans' benefits matter prior to the issuance of veterans' benefits, and if the transaction was structured with an intent to avoid prohibited acts. Provides that a person seeking to receive compensation for services related to veterans' benefits matters must, before rendering any services, enter into a written agreement that is signed by both parties and that complies with federal regulations, including all terms regarding the payment of fees for services rendered. Requires a person to provide certain disclosures when entering into a business relationship with an individual or advertising for compensation services. Provides that a violation constitutes a deceptive act under the law concerning deceptive consumer sales and senior consumer protection provisions.

Provides a property tax deduction for an individual, or the surviving spouse of an individual, who has been rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as individually unemployable.

Increases the property tax deduction for a veteran who is totally disabled to an amount equal to 100% of the assessed value of the individual's real property (instead of $14,000). Expires property tax deductions for certain veterans, and, beginning with property taxes imposed for the 2026 assessment date and thereafter, instead provides a property tax liability credit against local property taxes for veterans who previously claimed a deduction. Includes a mechanism to establish an additional maximum property tax liability credit for a veteran who previously claimed a deduction.

Eliminates the assessed value cap that applies to the property tax deduction for a veteran who: (1) has a total disability; or (2) is at least 62 years of age and has at least a 10% disability.