To the editor:
An Act Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing Our Service Members and Veterans (The HERO Act) was passed on August 2, 2024. The HERO Act is designed to boost support for hundreds of thousands of individuals across the state who have served in the United States military.
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that veterans with a combined service-connected disability rating of 100%, or who are individually unemployable due to their service-connected disability, are eligible for a motor vehicle excise tax exemption. The exemption will apply to one motor vehicle owned and registered by the veteran.
To receive your exemption, you must provide a copy of your most recent VA Award Letter along with your motor vehicle excise tax bill to the Assessor’s Office. Unfortunately, this does not apply to a surviving spouse, only the veteran. Also of note, the Disabled Veteran Annuity offered by the State’s Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) will increase from $2000.00 to $2500.00 yearly, phased in over two fiscal years. Additionally, the Department of Revenue allows all cities and towns to issue a real estate tax exemption to anyone with an SCD of at least 10%. I am reaching out to local veterans who may be eligible for benefits that he/she may not be aware of.
Do you have a Service-Connected Disability? If you do, what percentage are you? If you think you may be eligible for any benefits, or you have any questions, please let me know. I can be reached by calling 781-334-9440, or you may email me at veteransaffairs@town.lynnfield.ma.us.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Bruce Siegel
Director of Veterans Services
