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

Renewals

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