§681. Definitions
As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
[PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. HHH, §3 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. HHH, §10 (AFF).]
1.
Applicant.
"Applicant" means an individual who has applied for a homestead property tax exemption pursuant to this subchapter.
[PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. HHH, §3 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. HHH, §10 (AFF).]
1-A.
Cooperative housing corporation.
"Cooperative housing corporation" means an entity organized for the purpose of owning residential real estate in which residents own shares that entitle the shareholder to inhabit a certain space within a residential dwelling.
[PL 2005, c. 647, §1 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 647, §5 (AFF).]
1-B.
Cooperative property.
"Cooperative property" means the real property, including mobile and manufactured homes, owned by a cooperative housing corporation for the primary purpose of residential use.
[PL 2005, c. 647, §1 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 647, §5 (AFF).]
2.
Homestead.
"Homestead" means any residential property in this State assessed as real property owned by an applicant and occupied by the applicant as the applicant's permanent residence. "Homestead" does not include any real property used solely for commercial purposes.
For purposes of this subsection, "owned by an applicant" includes:
A.
Real property held in a revocable living trust for the benefit of an applicant;
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. M, §4 (NEW).]
B.
Real property in which an applicant has a deeded life estate; and
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. M, §4 (NEW).]
C.
Real property owned by a cooperative housing corporation to the extent that property is occupied as a permanent residence by an applicant who is a qualifying shareholder.
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. M, §4 (NEW).]
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. M, §4 (AMD).]
3.
Permanent residence.
"Permanent residence" means that place where an individual has a true, fixed and permanent home and principal establishment to which the individual, whenever absent, has the intention of returning. An individual may have only one permanent residence at a time and, once a permanent residence is established, that residence is presumed to continue until circumstances indicate otherwise.
[PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. HHH, §3 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. HHH, §10 (AFF).]
4.
Permanent resident.
"Permanent resident" means an individual who has established a permanent residence. For purposes of this subchapter, a person on active duty serving in the Armed Forces of the United States who is permanently stationed at a military or naval post, station or base in this State is deemed to be a permanent resident. A member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in the State who applies for an exemption shall present certification from the commander of the member's post, station or base or from the commander's designated agent that the member is permanently stationed at that post, station or base. For purposes of this subsection, "a person on active duty serving in the Armed Forces of the United States" does not include a member of the National Guard or the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces.
[PL 2009, c. 418, §1 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 418, §3 (AFF).]
5.
Qualifying shareholder.
"Qualifying shareholder" means a person who is a:
A.
Shareholder in a cooperative housing corporation that owns a homestead in this State;
[PL 2005, c. 647, §3 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 647, §5 (AFF).]
B.
Shareholder for the preceding 12 months in the cooperative housing corporation specified in paragraph A; and
[PL 2005, c. 647, §3 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 647, §5 (AFF).]
C.
Permanent resident of this State.
[PL 2005, c. 647, §3 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 647, §5 (AFF).]
[PL 2005, c. 647, §3 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 647, §5 (AFF).]
6.
Veteran.
"Veteran" means an individual who was on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and who, if discharged, retired or separated from the Armed Forces of the United States, was discharged, retired or separated under conditions other than dishonorable. “Veteran” also includes:
A.
The unremarried surviving spouse or minor child of a deceased veteran who would be entitled to an exemption under this subchapter if living, or who is in receipt of a pension or compensation from the Federal Government as the unremarried surviving spouse or minor child of a deceased veteran; and
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. M, §5 (NEW).]
B.
The parent of a deceased veteran who is 62 years of age or older and is an unremarried surviving spouse who is in receipt of a pension or compensation from the Federal Government based upon the service-connected death of that parent’s child.
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. M, §5 (NEW).]
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. M, §5 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1997, c. 643, §HHH3 (NEW). PL 1997, c. 643, §HHH10 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 647, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 647, §5 (AFF). PL 2009, c. 418, §1 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 418, §3 (AFF). PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. M, §§4, 5 (AMD).