The NY State/ Monroe County Veterans Tax Exemption

Veterans and their surviving spouses may be eligible for an exemption on local city, town, village, and/or county property taxes. Additional deductions may apply for combat and disabled veterans. In order to determine eligibility, a copy of the veteran’s separation papers/DD214 must be presented to the tax assessor. Every veteran homeowner is urged to contact their local assessor to determine the exemptions for which they qualify and to ensure that they are properly applied to their property's assessment.

Note: There is no veteran's exemption available for school taxes.

The following list illustrates the three categories of property tax deductions available in NY State:

Alternative Veterans' Exemptions:

• 15% reduction in assessed value to veterans who served during a time of war*
• Additional 10% reduction in assessed value to veterans serving in combat zones (includes recipients of expeditionary medals).
• Additional reduction in assessed value to veterans who incur service-connected disabilities, equal to one-half of their service-connected disability ratings.
• The application form for the alternative exemption is RP-458-a; it must be filed with your local assessor (instructions).

The Cold War Veterans' Exemption:

• Veterans may receive a 10% or 15% reduction in assessed value (as adopted by the taxing jurisdiction).
• Additional reduction is available to veterans who incur a service-connected disability, equal to one-half of the service-connected disability rating.
• Note: Please be advised that a "Cold War Recognition Certificate" is no longer needed to qualify for the Cold War Tax Exemption - a copy of the veteran's discharge papers will be sufficient.
• The application form for the alternative exemption is RP-458-b; it must be filed with your local assessor (instructions).

"Eligible funds" Veterans’ Exemption

• This exemption reduces the property’s assessed value to the extent that eligible funds were used in the purchase, generally up to a maximum of $5,000.
• Partial exemption from real property taxation for property purchased with the proceeds of a veteran’s pension, bonus or insurance monies, or dividends or refunds on such insurance.
• Likewise, partial exemption from real property taxation if the property was purchased with compensation paid to prisoners of war, mustering-out pay, etc.
• The application form for the eligible funds exemption is RP-458 INS; it must be filed with your local assessor.

*War periods used to determine eligibility for the Alternative Veterans Exemption:

• World War II. December 7, 1941 through December 31, 1946, inclusive. If the veteran was in service on December 31, 1946, continuous service before July 26, 1947 is considered World War II service.
• Korean conflict. June 27, 1950 through January 31, 1955, inclusive.
• Vietnam era. The period beginning on February 28, 1961 and ending on May 7, 1975, inclusive, in the case of a veteran who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. The period beginning on August 5, 1964 and ending on May 7, 1975, inclusive, in all other cases.
• Persian Gulf War, Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Beginning August 2, 1990, through date to be prescribed by Presidential proclamation or law (current).
• Future dates. The period beginning on the date of any future declaration of war by the Congress and ending on a date prescribed by Presidential proclamation or concurrent resolution of the Congress.

Benefits also are offered to those who received an expeditionary medal for service in:

• Lebanon: June 1, 1983 through December 1, 1987
• Grenada: October 23, 1983 through November 21, 1983
• Panama: December 20, 1989 through January 31, 1990

Click here for a list of Tax assessors in Monroe county and their contact information.  

Depending on which exemption you're requesting, you will need to provide the assessor documentation showing one or more of the following:

• you served during a period of war (illustrated by your DD214)
• you received an expeditionary medal (illustrated by your DD214 or a set or award orders)
• you served in a combat zone (illustrated by your DD214 or a set of orders)
• you have a service-connected disability  (illustrated by VA disability rating paperwork)

You will also need  a copy of the deed, mortgage, or other similar document to show that you or your spouse owns the property.