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. Check with the local assessor's office to see if this exemption is offered at the home's address, what the local dollar caps are, and the filing deadline. In most communities, the deadline is March 1.
2. Gather the required documents: DD-214 or other military discharge paperwork showing wartime service or an expeditionary medal, proof the home is the primary residence, and the completed Form RP-458-a from the local assessor's office.
3. Get a VA award letter showing the disability rating if claiming the disability add-on. The base 15% wartime benefit does not require a disability rating.
4. Complete Form RP-458-a with the property and service details.
5. Apply online and submit Form RP-458-a with the required documents to the local assessor's office.

What to expect: After you apply, the local assessor reviews the form and documents and decides what exemption applies at that address, including any local dollar caps. Processing times vary, so ask the assessor's office if an estimate is needed. This is usually a one-time application. Re-file Form RP-458-a if you move or if the VA service-connected disability rating changes.

Renewals

one-time application; re-file Form RP-458-a if you move or your VA service-connected disability rating changes