Sales tax exemption for widows of disabled veterans heads to House

Financial relief could soon be on its way to over 2,500 widows of disabled veterans thanks to legislation approved Monday by the full Senate. Senate Bill 46, by Sen. Don Barrington, would extend a portion of the sales tax exemption given to 100% disabled veterans to their spouses.

Barrington, a Vietnam Veteran, explained the sales tax exemption for disabled veterans is Oklahoma’s way of acknowledging and thanking veterans for their tremendous sacrifice that ultimately left them unable to work.

“Disabled veterans’ benefits are cut in half after their death putting a financial burden on their spouses,” said Barrington, R-Lawton. “Extending part of the sales tax exemption to these widows would provide them with some relief. After all, they made sacrifices too and we can’t turn our backs on them.”

Senate Bill 46 would give widows of qualified veterans a sales tax exemption of up to $6,000 a year as long as they remained unmarried.

The Oklahoma Veterans Council, which is comprised of 28 member organizations, has been requesting the bill for several years.

Barrington explained that veterans who are 100 percent disabled receive $2,500 a month in benefits. Their widows, however, receive only $1,100 a month.

“These widows not only have to deal with the loss of their loved ones, but also the loss of nearly $17,000 in annual benefits. This exemption won’t make up that difference, but it’ll give them some financial relief and help with groceries and other necessities,” said Barrington.

SB 46 will next be considered in a House committee.