How to apply for New York Alternative Veterans Property Tax Exemption (Wartime Service)

Who it's for

New York reduces the assessed value of a wartime veteran's primary residence for property tax purposes: 15% off for serving during a designated time of war (or earning an expeditionary medal), an additional 10% for serving in a combat zone, and a further reduction for a service-connected disability equal to half the VA disability rating. Each county, city, town, village, and school district chooses whether to offer the exemption and sets its own dollar caps, so the benefit differs from one locality to the next. The home must be the primary residence, owned by the veteran, the veteran's spouse, or the unremarried surviving spouse. Apply once with Form RP-458-a at the local assessor's office — in most communities the deadline is March 1. The base 15% benefit does not require any disability rating.

What you'll need

• DD-214 or other military discharge paperwork showing wartime service or an expeditionary medal
• VA award letter showing the disability rating, if claiming the disability add-on
• Completed Form RP-458-a from the local assessor's office
• Proof the home is the primary residence

Where to apply

Step by step

1. Confirm eligibility by contacting your local assessor's office. Ask whether your county, city, town, village, or school district offers the Alternative Veterans Property Tax Exemption and what dollar caps apply in your locality.
2. Gather your military discharge paperwork — such as a DD-214 — that shows wartime service or an expeditionary medal. If you are claiming the disability add-on, also collect your VA award letter showing your current disability rating.
3. Obtain Form RP-458-a from your local assessor's office. This is the required application form for this exemption.
4. Gather proof that the home is your primary residence. Your assessor can tell you what documents are accepted.
5. Complete Form RP-458-a fully and accurately. Attach your military discharge paperwork, proof of primary residence, and — if applicable — your VA award letter.
6. Submit the completed form and all supporting documents to your local assessor's office. In most communities the filing deadline is March 1, but confirm the exact deadline with your assessor. You may be able to apply online — check with your local assessor's office for available submission options.
7. If your VA disability rating changes in the future, notify your assessor's office so the disability portion of your exemption can be updated.

What to expect: After submitting your application, the assessor's office will review your form and documents to determine whether the exemption applies to your property. Processing times vary, so contact your local assessor's office for an estimate. Because this is a one-time application, you do not need to reapply each year — however, the assessor may occasionally ask you to re-verify your eligibility, and the disability add-on will be adjusted if your VA rating changes. Keep in mind that the savings you see will depend on your locality's caps and which portions of the exemption you qualify for; your local assessor is the best source for details specific to your address.

Renewals

one-time application; the assessor may ask to re-verify, and the disability portion updates if the VA rating changes