Suffolk Surviving Spouse Exemption, Killed in Action or Line of Duty

Suffolk’s ordinance still covers only the surviving spouse of a member killed in action. State law has covered any line-of-duty death since January 1, 2025, and the state exemption applies whatever the ordinance says.

Also called: Gold Star spouse, line of duty, killed in action, surviving spouse property tax, KIA.

For: Survivor.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

City of Suffolk, VACity

Section 82-485(e) of the Suffolk City Code, last amended in 2015, applies the exemption to the principal residence of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces "killed in action", with value above the average assessed value of dwellings on land zoned single-family residential taxed. The same section's ten-acre rule covers the land. 2024 Acts chapter 583 widened section 58.1-3219.9 from January 1, 2025 to any member who died in the line of duty with a Department of Defense Line of Duty determination, including by suicide, and the statute lets the spouse move. It is a state exemption every locality must grant, so a spouse outside the ordinance's wording should apply to the Department of Social Services citing section 58.1-3219.9. The city does not publish its average dwelling figure.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Suffolk Surviving Spouse Exemption, Killed in Action or Line of Duty
Gate	Rule
Died in the line of duty	Under section 58.1-3219.9 the service member died in the line of duty with a Department of Defense determination. Suffolk’s ordinance still says killed in action. No disability rating is involved.

Sources

Updated

Last updated 2026-09-30.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.