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Veteran Property Tax Exemption — District of Columbia

DC's Disabled Veterans Homestead Deduction removes $445,000 of assessed value from the principal residence of a veteran classified by the VA as totally and permanently disabled — or paid at the 100% rate for unemployability — on top of DC's standard homestead deduction.

Who qualifies

A veteran classified by the VA as totally and permanently disabled from a service-incurred or service-aggravated condition, or paid at the 100% disability rating level as a result of unemployability — with at least 50% ownership, DC domicile, principal residence, and household income within the Senior/Disabled Tax Relief limit

Benefit

$445,000 reduction in assessed value (D.C. Law 22-283, effective October 1, 2022) — which eliminates the property tax on most DC homes outright

How to apply

Apply through the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA@dc.gov, (202) 724-5454), which routes the application to OTR; applications filed October 1 - March 31 cover the full tax year

Watch out

Cooperatives are not eligible, and the deduction replaces the Senior Citizen/Disabled Tax Relief and tax cap credit — you cannot hold both; applications April 1 - September 30 get only half the deduction on the second-half bill

How it works

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Not yet rated? Start there

Every one of these programs hinges on a VA service-connected rating. If you have not filed a claim, that is the starting point — a free, VA-accredited VSO (DAV, American Legion, VFW) will file it for you at no cost. A higher rating unlocks not just property-tax relief but healthcare, income benefits, and — for business owners — SDVOSB contracting eligibility.

Official sources

DC Office of Tax and Revenue — Veterans Homestead Deduction: https://otr.cfo.dc.gov/release/veterans-homestead-deduction-starts-october-1-2022
D.C. Law 22-283 — Disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption Amendment Act: https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/laws/22-283

Free eligibility check for District of Columbia

County-specific rules, amounts, and deadlines — plus a ready-to-sign filing package if you qualify. 100% free on WriteOffOS.

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