First there were four, then a fifth, and now one more member of Congress found to be illegally exploiting a tax break for District residents who are homeowners. Via Politico, the Kansas City Star is reporting that Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and his wife have been caught claiming the homestead exemption on their $1.6 million Georgetown home.
The exemption offers District residents a deduction on the assessed value of their D.C. home and limits annual property tax increases. As with other members of Congress — including 22 senators busted in 2005 — Blunt cannot be both a Missouri representative and a District resident, thus precluding him from taking advantage of the tax break. And though Blunt’s wife owns the home, she too lists Missouri as her main place of residence.
Martin Austermuhle