How to apply for Connecticut Veterans' Property Tax Exemption (Wartime Service)

Who it's for

Connecticut lowers the taxable value of property owned by an honorably discharged veteran who served at least 90 days during a wartime period. Any service since the 1990 Gulf War began counts, and service in the Gulf itself is not required. The state amount is $1,000 of assessed value, and every eligible veteran also gets an extra half of that, for $1,500 in all. Many towns must give more after a revaluation. The exemption works on your home, and also on a car, because Connecticut taxes cars too. A surviving spouse who has not remarried can get an exemption as well. To get it, record your DD-214 discharge papers with your town clerk before October 1. Veterans with lower incomes can get a larger exemption by also applying for the Additional Veterans' Exemption.

What you'll need

• DD-214 (honorable discharge) or a certified copy, recorded with the town clerk before October 1
• For a surviving spouse: the veteran's discharge papers and death certificate

Where to apply

Step by step

1. Gather your DD-214 showing an honorable discharge, or a certified copy. If you are a surviving spouse, gather the veteran's discharge papers and death certificate.
2. Record the DD-214 with your town clerk before October 1. A surviving spouse should provide the veteran's papers and death certificate.
3. Apply online for the Connecticut Veterans' Property Tax Exemption through your town assessor.
4. Ask the assessor if your wartime service period qualifies under Connecticut's rules. Connecticut's wartime list is different from the VA's list in some cases.
5. If your income is lower, ask about applying for the Additional Veterans' Exemption. If you have a VA disability rating, ask about the disabled veterans' exemption instead, since you cannot get both.

What to expect: After you apply, your town assessor decides whether you qualify. This exemption lowers the assessed value of your home or car, not your tax bill directly, so the savings depend on your town's tax rate. Once your DD-214 is recorded with your town, the exemption continues each year, so renewal is one-time only. A surviving spouse must not have remarried.

Renewals

one-time; once your DD-214 is recorded in your town, the exemption continues each year