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Bill

SB 215

Excluding social security payments from household income and increasing the household income and appraised value thresholds for eligibility of seniors and disabled veterans related to increased property tax homestead claims.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ethan Corson and 6 co-sponsors

Kansas bill excludes Social Security from income calculations and raises thresholds to expand property tax exemptions for seniors and disabled veterans, reducing their tax bills at state expense.

Died in Committee
#taxation
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 215

Legislative bill overview

SB 215 modifies Kansas property tax homestead exemptions by excluding Social Security income from household income calculations and raising the eligibility thresholds for seniors and disabled veterans. This allows more people in these categories to qualify for property tax relief by appearing to have lower household incomes on paper.

Why is this important

Property tax homestead exemptions directly reduce tax bills for qualifying homeowners, which can be meaningful for fixed-income seniors and disabled veterans. Changing the income calculation method and thresholds affects who gets relief and the state's tax revenue, as exemptions shift the tax burden to other property owners or reduce overall tax collection.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Excluding Social Security income and raising thresholds will cost the state revenue; the bill doesn't specify how this loss will be addressed or how much it will total
  • Fairness questions: Critics may argue that Social Security is income and should count, while supporters contend it's already-taxed retirement savings; also raises questions about whether means-testing should exclude other income types
  • Property tax burden shifting: Exemptions granted to some homeowners increase effective tax rates on non-exempt properties, potentially burdening younger homeowners and commercial properties

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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