GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 525 2020 Regular Session Hilferty
TAX/AD VALOREM TAX: (Constitutional Amendment) Increases the income
threshold for purposes of qualifying for the special assessment level
DIGEST
Present constitution provides that the assessment of residential property receiving the
homestead exemption which is owned and occupied by certain enumerated persons shall not
be increased above the total assessment of that property for the first year that the owner
qualifies for and receives the special assessment level, provided that such person or persons
remain qualified for and receive the special assessment level.
Present constitution provides that the special assessment level applies to:
(1)People who are 65 or older.
(2)People who have a service-connected disability rating of 50% or more by the U.S.
Dept. of Veterans Affairs.
(3)Members of the armed forces of the U.S. or the La. National Guard who owned and
last occupied the property who are killed in action, or who are missing in action or
are a prisoner of war for a period exceeding 90 days.
(4)Any person or persons permanently totally disabled as determined by a final
non-appealable judgment of a court or as certified by a state or federal administrative
agency charged with the responsibility for making determinations regarding
disability.
Proposed constitutional amendment retains present constitution.
Present constitution prohibits a person from receiving the special assessment if the person's
adjusted gross income, as reported in the federal tax return for the year prior to the
application, exceeds $50,000 (this amount applied for tax year 2001 and is adjusted each tax
year based on the Consumer Price Index). Provides that gross income is combined for
applicants whose filing status is married filing separately.
Proposed constitutional amendment increases the income threshold for qualifying for the
special assessment level for residential property receiving the homestead exemption from
$50,000 adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index to $100,000 adjusted annually
based on the Consumer Price Index beginning tax year 2026.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election
to be held November 3, 2020.
(Amends Const. Art. VII, ยง18(G)(1)(a)(ii))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Ways and Means
to the original bill:
1. Change the resolution from one that removes the income threshold for
qualifying for the special assessment level for residential property receiving
the homestead exemption to one that increases the income threshold from
$50,000 adjusted annually from tax year 2001 to $100,000 adjusted annually
from tax year 2021.
Page 1 of 2
Prepared by Curry J. Lann. 2. Reinstate the annual certification requirement relative to this income
requirement.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal
Affairs to the engrossed bill
1. Changes the start date of the annual Consumer Price Index adjustment from
tax year 2021 to 2026.
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Prepared by Curry J. Lann.