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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill amends provisions related to the armed forces property tax exemption.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 ▸ amends provisions related to qualification for an armed forces property tax
14 exemption; and
15 ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
16 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
17 None
18 Other Special Clauses:
19 This bill provides for retrospective operation.
20 Utah Code Sections Affected:
21 AMENDS:
22 59-2-1101, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 248
23 59-2-1104, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapter 85
24 59-2-1105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 19
25
26 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
27 Section 1. Section 59-2-1101 is amended to read:
28 59-2-1101. Definitions -- Exemption of certain property -- Proportional payments
29 for certain property -- County legislative body authority to adopt rules or ordinances.
30 (1) As used in this section:
31 (a) "Educational purposes" includes:
32 (i) the physical or mental teaching, training, or conditioning of competitive athletes by
33 a national governing body of sport recognized by the United States Olympic Committee that
34 qualifies as being tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) [
35 (ii) an activity in support of or incidental to the teaching, training, or conditioning
36 described in Subsection (1)(a)(i).
37 (b) "Exclusive use exemption" means a property tax exemption under Subsection
38 (3)(a)(iv), for property owned by a nonprofit entity used exclusively for religious, charitable, or
39 educational purposes.
40 (c) "Government exemption" means a property tax exemption provided under
41 Subsection (3)(a)(i), (ii), or (iii).
42 (d) "Nonprofit entity" includes an entity if the:
43 (i) entity is treated as a disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes;
44 (ii) entity is wholly owned by, and controlled under the direction of, a nonprofit entity;
45 and
46 (iii) net earnings and profits of the entity irrevocably inure to the benefit of a nonprofit
47 entity.
48 (e) "Tax relief" means an exemption, deferral, or abatement that is authorized by this
49 part.
50 (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b) or (c), tax relief may be allowed only if
51 the claimant is the owner of the property as of January 1 of the year the exemption is claimed.
52 (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(a), a claimant shall collect and pay a proportional
53 tax based upon the length of time that the property was not owned by the claimant if:
54 (i) the claimant is a federal, state, or political subdivision entity described in
55 Subsection (3)(a)(i), (ii), or (iii); or
56 (ii) pursuant to Subsection (3)(a)(iv):
57 (A) the claimant is a nonprofit entity; and
58 (B) the property is used exclusively for religious, charitable, or educational purposes.
59 [
60
61
62
63 [
64 [
65 [
66
67 [
68 [
69 [
70
71 (c) Subsection (2)(a) does not apply to an exemption under Section 59-2-1104.
72 (3) (a) The following property is exempt from taxation:
73 (i) property exempt under the laws of the United States;
74 (ii) property of:
75 (A) the state;
76 (B) school districts; and
77 (C) public libraries;
78 (iii) except as provided in Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal Cooperation Act, property of:
79 (A) counties;
80 (B) cities;
81 (C) towns;
82 (D) local districts;
83 (E) special service districts; and
84 (F) all other political subdivisions of the state;
85 (iv) property owned by a nonprofit entity used exclusively for religious, charitable, or
86 educational purposes;
87 (v) places of burial not held or used for private or corporate benefit;
88 (vi) farm machinery and equipment [
89 (vii) intangible property; and
90 (viii) the ownership interest of an out-of-state public agency, as defined in Section
91 11-13-103:
92 (A) if that ownership interest is in property providing additional project capacity, as
93 defined in Section 11-13-103; and
94 (B) on which a fee in lieu of ad valorem property tax is payable under Section
95 11-13-302.
96 (b) For purposes of a property tax exemption for property of school districts under
97 Subsection (3)(a)(ii)(B), a charter school under Title 53A, Chapter 1a, Part 5, The Utah Charter
98 Schools Act, is considered to be a school district.
99 (4) Subject to Subsection (5), if property that is allowed an exclusive use exemption or
100 a government exemption ceases to qualify for the exemption because of a change in the
101 ownership of the property:
102 (a) the new owner of the property shall pay a proportional tax based upon the period of
103 time:
104 (i) beginning on the day that the new owner acquired the property; and
105 (ii) ending on the last day of the calendar year during which the new owner acquired
106 the property; and
107 (b) the new owner of the property and the person from whom the new owner acquires
108 the property shall notify the county assessor, in writing, of the change in ownership of the
109 property within 30 days from the day that the new owner acquires the property.
110 (5) Notwithstanding Subsection (4)(a), the proportional tax described in Subsection
111 (4)(a):
112 (a) is subject to any exclusive use exemption or government exemption that the
113 property is entitled to under the new ownership of the property; and
114 (b) applies only to property that is acquired after December 31, 2005.
115 (6) A county legislative body may adopt rules or ordinances to:
116 (a) effectuate the exemptions, deferrals, abatements, or other relief from taxation
117 provided in this part; and
118 (b) designate one or more persons to perform the functions given the county under this
119 part.
120 Section 2. Section 59-2-1104 is amended to read:
121 59-2-1104. Definitions -- Armed forces exemption -- Amount of Armed Forces
122 exemption.
123 (1) As used in this section and Section 59-2-1105:
124 (a) "Active component of the United States Armed Forces" is as defined in Section
125 59-10-1027.
126 (b) "Adjusted taxable value limit" means:
127 (i) for the [
128 $252,126; and
129 (ii) for each calendar year after [
130 (1)(b)(i), the amount of the adjusted taxable value limit for the previous year, plus an amount
131 calculated by multiplying the amount of the adjusted taxable value limit for the previous year
132 by the actual percent change in the consumer price index during the previous calendar year.
133 (c) "Claimant" means:
134 (i) a veteran with a disability who files an application under Section 59-2-1105 for [
135
136 (ii) the unmarried surviving spouse:
137 (A) of a:
138 (I) deceased veteran with a disability; or
139 (II) veteran who was killed in action or died in the line of duty; and
140 (B) who files an application under Section 59-2-1105 for [
141 under this section;
142 (iii) a minor orphan:
143 (A) of a:
144 (I) deceased veteran with a disability; or
145 (II) veteran who was killed in action or died in the line of duty; and
146 (B) who files an application under Section 59-2-1105 for [
147 under this section; or
148 (iv) a member of an active component of the United States Armed Forces or a reserve
149 component of the United States Armed Forces who performed qualifying active duty military
150 service.
151 (d) "Consumer price index" is as described in Section 1(f)(4), Internal Revenue Code,
152 and defined in Section 1(f)(5), Internal Revenue Code.
153 (e) "Deceased veteran with a disability" means a deceased person who was a veteran
154 with a disability at the time the person died.
155 (f) "Military entity" means:
156 (i) the federal Department of Veterans Affairs;
157 (ii) an active component of the United States Armed Forces; or
158 (iii) a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces.
159 (g) "Property taxes due" means the taxes due on a claimant's property:
160 (i) with respect to which a county grants an exemption under this section; and
161 (ii) for the calendar year for which the county grants an exemption under this section.
162 (h) "Property taxes paid" is an amount equal to the sum of:
163 (i) the amount of the property taxes the claimant paid for the calendar year for which
164 the claimant is applying for an exemption under this section; and
165 (ii) the exemption the county grants for the calendar year described in Subsection
166 (1)(h)(i).
167 [
168 (i) at least 200 days in a calendar year, regardless of whether consecutive, of active
169 duty military service outside the state in an active component of the United States Armed
170 Forces or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces; or
171 (ii) the completion of at least 200 consecutive days of active duty military service
172 outside the state:
173 (A) in an active component of the United States Armed Forces or a reserve component
174 of the United States Armed Forces; and
175 (B) that began in the prior year, if those days of active duty military service outside the
176 state in the prior year were not counted as qualifying active duty military service for purposes
177 of this section or Section 59-2-1105 in the prior year.
178 [
179 Section 59-10-1027.
180 [
181 is not considered to be a residence.
182 [
183 who was killed in action or died in the line of duty in an active component of the United States
184 Armed Forces or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces, regardless of
185 whether that person had a disability at the time that person was killed in action or died in the
186 line of duty.
187 [
188 military training or a military conflict, acquired a disability in the line of duty in an active
189 component of the United States Armed Forces or a reserve component of the United States
190 Armed Forces.
191 [
192
193 (2) (a) [
194 described in Subsection (2)(b) is exempt from taxation as calculated under Subsections [
195 (3) through [
196 (i) a veteran with a disability;
197 (ii) the unmarried surviving spouse or a minor orphan of a:
198 (A) deceased veteran with a disability; or
199 (B) veteran who was killed in action or died in the line of duty; or
200 (iii) a member of an active component of the United States Armed Forces or a reserve
201 component of the United States Armed Forces who performed qualifying active duty military
202 service.
203 (b) Subsection (2)(a) applies to the following property:
204 (i) the claimant's primary residence;
205 (ii) for a claimant described in Subsection (2)(a)(i) or (ii), tangible personal property
206 that:
207 (A) is held exclusively for personal use; and
208 (B) is not used in a trade or business; or
209 (iii) for a claimant described in Subsection (2)(a)(i) or (ii), a combination of
210 Subsections (2)(b)(i) and (ii).
211 (c) For purposes of this section, property is considered to be the primary residence of a
212 person described in Subsection (2)(a)(i) or (iii) who does not reside in the residence if the
213 person:
214 (i) does not reside in the residence because the person is admitted as an inpatient at a
215 health care facility as defined in Section 26-55-102; and
216 (ii) otherwise meets the requirements of this section and Section 59-2-1105 to receive
217 an exemption under this section.
218 [
219 taxable value of property described in Subsection (2)(b) that is exempt under Subsection (2)(a)
220 is:
221 [
222 [
223 [
224 [
225 [
226 Subsection (2)(b) if the property is owned by:
227 [
228 in the line of duty;
229 [
230 duty; or
231 [
232 reserve component of the United States Armed Forces who performed qualifying active duty
233 military service.
234 [
235
236 (4) (a) Subject to Subsections (4)(b) and (c), an exemption may not be allowed under
237 this [
238 described in Subsection 59-2-1105(3)(a) is less than 10%.
239 (b) Subsection (4)(a) does not apply to a claimant described in Subsection (2)(a)(iii).
240 [
241 of the percentage of disability listed on a [
242 59-2-1105(3)(a), if the United States Department of Veterans Affairs certifies the veteran in the
243 classification of individual unemployability.
244 [
245 (5) A claimant who is the unmarried surviving spouse or minor orphan of a deceased
246 veteran with a disability may claim an exemption for the total value of the property described
247 in Subsection (2)(b) if:
248 [
249 United States or the state prior to January 1, 1921; and
250 [
251 Subsection 59-2-1105(3)(a) for the deceased veteran with a disability is 10% or more.
252 [
253 value of the property described in Subsection (2)(b) that is exempt under Subsection [
254 (3)(a) is equal to the percentage of disability listed on the [
255 Subsection 59-2-1105(3)(a) multiplied by the adjusted taxable value limit.
256 [
257 (b) The amount of the taxable value of the property described in Subsection (2)(b) that
258 is exempt under Subsection [
259 property described in Subsection (2)(b).
260 [
261 honorable or general discharge from military service of an active component of the United
262 States Armed Forces or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces:
263 [
264 [
265 the person is a citizen of the United States.
266 [
267 shall, through an informal hearing held in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 4,
268 Administrative Procedures Act, resolve each dispute arising under this section concerning a
269 veteran's status as a veteran with a disability.
270 Section 3. Section 59-2-1105 is amended to read:
271 59-2-1105. Application for United States Armed Forces exemption -- Rulemaking
272 authority -- Statement -- County authority to make refunds.
273 (1) (a) Except as provided in [
274 (d), an exemption under Section 59-2-1104 may be allowed only if the interest of the claimant
275 is on record on January 1 of the year the exemption is claimed.
276 (b) A claimant may claim an exemption under Section 59-2-1104 regardless of whether
277 the interest of the claimant is on record on January 1 of the year the exemption is claimed if the
278 claimant is:
279 (i) the unmarried surviving spouse of:
280 (A) a deceased veteran with a disability as defined in Section 59-2-1104; or
281 (B) a veteran who was killed in action or died in the line of duty as defined in Section
282 59-2-1104; or
283 (ii) a minor orphan of:
284 (A) a deceased veteran with a disability as defined in Section 59-2-1104; or
285 (B) a veteran who was killed in action or died in the line of duty as defined in Section
286 59-2-1104.
287 [
288 under Section 59-2-1104 may be allowed if it is proved to the satisfaction of the county that the
289 claimant is:
290 (i) the purchaser under the contract; and
291 (ii) obligated to pay the taxes on the property beginning January 1 of the year the
292 exemption is claimed.
293 [
294 property on which an exemption under Section 59-2-1104 is claimed, the claimant may claim
295 the portion of the exemption under Section 59-2-1104 and be treated as the owner of that
296 portion of the property held in trust for which the claimant proves to the satisfaction of the
297 county that:
298 (i) title to the portion of the trust will revest in the claimant upon the exercise of a
299 power:
300 (A) by:
301 (I) the claimant as grantor of the trust;
302 (II) a nonadverse party; or
303 (III) both the claimant and a nonadverse party; and
304 (B) regardless of whether the power is a power:
305 (I) to revoke;
306 (II) to terminate;
307 (III) to alter;
308 (IV) to amend; or
309 (V) to appoint;
310 (ii) the claimant is obligated to pay the taxes on that portion of the trust property
311 beginning January 1 of the year the claimant claims the exemption; and
312 (iii) the claimant meets the requirements under this part for the exemption.
313 (2) (a) (i) A claimant applying for an exemption under Section 59-2-1104 shall file an
314 application:
315 (A) with the county in which that claimant resides; and
316 (B) except as provided in Subsection (2)(b) or (e), on or before September 1 of the year
317 in which that claimant is applying for the exemption in accordance with this section.
318 (ii) A county shall provide a claimant who files an application for an exemption in
319 accordance with this section with a receipt:
320 (A) stating that the county received the claimant's application; and
321 (B) no later than 30 days after the day on which the claimant filed the application in
322 accordance with this section.
323 (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(a)(i)(B) or (2)(e):
324 (i) subject to Subsection (2)(b)(iv), for a claimant who applies for an exemption under
325 Section 59-2-1104 on or after January 1, 2004, a county shall extend the deadline for filing the
326 application required by Subsection (2)(a) to September 1 of the year after the year the claimant
327 would otherwise be required to file the application under Subsection (2)(a)(i)(B) if:
328 (A) on or after January 1, 2004, a military entity issues a written decision that the:
329 (I) veteran has a disability; or
330 (II) deceased veteran with a disability with respect to whom the claimant applies for [
331
332 a disability died; and
333 (B) the date the written decision described in Subsection (2)(b)(i)(A) takes effect is in
334 any year prior to the current calendar year;
335 (ii) subject to Subsections (2)(b)(iv) and (2)(d), for a claimant who applies for an
336 exemption under Section 59-2-1104 on or after January 1, 2004, a county shall allow the
337 claimant to amend the application required by Subsection (2)(a) on or before September 1 of
338 the year after the year the claimant filed the application under Subsection (2)(a)(i)(B) if:
339 (A) on or after January 1, 2004, a military entity issues a written decision that the
340 percentage of disability has changed for the:
341 (I) veteran with a disability; or
342 (II) deceased veteran with a disability with respect to whom the claimant applies for the
343 exemption; and
344 (B) the date the written decision described in Subsection (2)(b)(ii)(A) takes effect is in
345 any year prior to the current calendar year;
346 (iii) subject to Subsections (2)(b)(iv) and (2)(d), for a claimant who applies for an
347 exemption under Section 59-2-1104 on or after January 1, 2004, a county shall extend the
348 deadline for filing the application required by Subsection (2)(a) to September 1 of the year after
349 the year the claimant would otherwise be required to file the application under Subsection
350 (2)(a)(i)(B) if the county legislative body determines that:
351 (A) the claimant or a member of the claimant's immediate family had an illness or
352 injury that prevented the claimant from filing the application on or before the deadline for
353 filing the application established in Subsection (2)(a)(i)(B);
354 (B) a member of the claimant's immediate family died during the calendar year the
355 claimant was required to file the application under Subsection (2)(a)(i)(B);
356 (C) the claimant was not physically present in the state for a time period of at least six
357 consecutive months during the calendar year the claimant was required to file the application
358 under Subsection (2)(a)(i)(B); or
359 (D) the failure of the claimant to file the application on or before the deadline for filing
360 the application established in Subsection (2)(a)(i)(B):
361 (I) would be against equity or good conscience; and
362 (II) was beyond the reasonable control of the claimant; and
363 (iv) a county may extend the deadline for filing an application or amending an
364 application under this Subsection (2) until December 31 if the county finds that good cause
365 exists to extend the deadline.
366 (c) The following shall accompany the initial application for an exemption under
367 Section 59-2-1104:
368 (i) a copy of the veteran's certificate of discharge from military service; or
369 (ii) other satisfactory evidence of eligible military service, including orders for
370 qualifying active duty military service, if applicable.
371 (d) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
372 commission may by rule:
373 (i) establish procedures and requirements for amending an application under
374 Subsection (2)(b)(ii);
375 (ii) for purposes of Subsection (2)(b)(iii), define the terms:
376 (A) "immediate family"; or
377 (B) "physically present"; or
378 (iii) for purposes of Subsection (2)(b)(iii), prescribe the circumstances under which the
379 failure of a claimant to file an application on or before the deadline for filing the application
380 established in Subsection (2)(a)(i)(B):
381 (A) would be against equity or good conscience; and
382 (B) is beyond the reasonable control of a claimant.
383 (e) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(g), if a claimant has on file with the county
384 the application described in Subsection (2)(a), the county may not require the claimant to file
385 another application described in Subsection (2)(a) unless:
386 (i) the claimant applies all or a portion of an exemption under Section 59-2-1104 to any
387 tangible personal property;
388 (ii) the percentage of disability has changed for the:
389 (A) veteran with a disability; or
390 (B) deceased veteran with a disability with respect to whom a claimant applies for [
391
392 (iii) the veteran with a disability dies;
393 (iv) the claimant's ownership interest in the claimant's primary residence changes;
394 (v) the claimant's occupancy of the primary residence for which the claimant claims an
395 exemption under Section 59-2-1104 changes; or
396 (vi) the claimant who files an application for an exemption under Section 59-2-1104
397 with respect to a deceased veteran with a disability or veteran who was killed in action or died
398 in the line of duty is a person other than the claimant who filed the application described in
399 Subsection (2)(a) for the exemption:
400 (A) for the calendar year immediately preceding the current calendar year; and
401 (B) with respect to that deceased veteran with a disability or veteran who was killed in
402 action or died in the line of duty.
403 (f) The county may verify that the real property that is residential property for which
404 the claimant claims an exemption under Section 59-2-1104 is the claimant's primary residence.
405 (g) A member of an active component of the United States Armed Forces or reserve
406 component of the United States Armed Forces who performed qualifying active duty military
407 service shall:
408 (i) file the application described in Subsection (2)(a) in the year after the year during
409 which the member completes the qualifying active duty military service; and
410 (ii) if the member meets the requirements of Section 59-2-1104 and this section to
411 receive an exemption under Section 59-2-1104, claim one exemption only in the year the
412 member files the application described in Subsection (2)(g)(i).
413 (3) (a) (i) Subject to Subsection (3)(a)(ii), a claimant except for a claimant described in
414 Subsection (2)(g) who files an application for an exemption under Section 59-2-1104 shall
415 have on file with the county a statement:
416 (A) issued by a military entity; and
417 (B) listing the percentage of disability for the veteran with a disability or deceased
418 veteran with a disability with respect to whom a claimant applies for the exemption.
419 (ii) If a claimant except for a claimant described in Subsection (2)(g) has on file with
420 the county the statement described in Subsection (3)(a)(i), the county may not require the
421 claimant to file another statement described in Subsection (3)(a)(i) unless:
422 (A) the claimant who files an application under this section for an exemption under
423 Section 59-2-1104 with respect to a deceased veteran with a disability or veteran who was
424 killed in action or died in the line of duty is a person other than the claimant who filed the
425 statement described in Subsection (3)(a)(i) for the exemption:
426 (I) for the calendar year immediately preceding the current calendar year; and
427 (II) with respect to that deceased veteran with a disability or veteran who was killed in
428 action or died in the line of duty; or
429 (B) the percentage of disability has changed for a:
430 (I) veteran with a disability; or
431 (II) deceased veteran with a disability with respect to whom the claimant applies for an
432 exemption under Section 59-2-1104.
433 (b) For a claimant filing an application in accordance with Subsection (2)(b)(i), the
434 claimant shall include with the application required by Subsection (2) a statement issued by a
435 military entity listing the date the written decision described in Subsection (2)(b)(i)(A) takes
436 effect.
437 (c) For a claimant amending an application in accordance with Subsection (2)(b)(ii),
438 the claimant shall provide to the county a statement issued by a military entity listing the date
439 the written decision described in Subsection (2)(b)(ii)(A) takes effect.
440 [
441 [
442 [
443 [
444 [
445 [
446
447 [
448
449 [
450 claimant shall refund to that claimant an amount equal to the amount by which the claimant's
451 property taxes paid exceed the claimant's property taxes due, if that amount is $1 or more.
452 Section 4. Retrospective operation.
453 This bill has retrospective operation to January 1, 2015.
Legislative Review Note
as of 1-29-15 10:32 AM
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel