Alternative Veteran's Exemptions

Friday, August 20th, 2010

The following is a list of Veterans exemptions including the new “Cold War” Exemption

ALTERNATIVE VETERANS ELIGIBILITY

This exemption is available to veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. armed services and meet the following requirements:

• You must own the property for which you are applying for the exemption
• The property must be your primary residence
• You served on active duty during any of the following eligible periods of time*:
  • Persian Gulf Conflict (on or after August 2, 1990)
  • Vietnam War (February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975)
  • Korean War (June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955)
  • World War II (December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946)
  • World War I (April 6, 1917 – November 11, 1918)
  • Mexican Border Period (May 9, 1916 – April 5, 1917)
  • Spanish-American War (April 21, 1898 – July 4, 1902)

    * The dates of the Korean and Vietnam Wars and the Persian Gulf Conflict are prescribed in the State law, while the dates of the other wars are derived from Federal law.

Veterans of the following crisis must have actually served there and received an expeditionary medal for that service:

• Lebanon (June 1, 1983 – December 1, 1987)
• Grenada (October 23, 1983 – November 21, 1983)
• Panama (December 20, 1989 – January 31, 1990)

The eligible War Veteran will receive 15% exemption and an additional 10% exemption if the service was in a combat zone or theater. Veterans with a service connected disability may be eligible for an additional partial exemption equal to one-half of the disability rating.

To apply, complete the following application and return it to the Assessor’s office by March 1:

• Application: Application For Alternative Veterans Exemption From Real Property Taxation (RP-458-a)
• Instructions: Instructions For Application For Alternative Veterans Exemption From Real Property Taxation (RP-458-a-Ins)

Applications are also available in the Assessor’s Office at Town Hall.

COLD WAR ELIGIBILITY

What does the law mean by the “Cold War?”

This exemption is available to veterans who served on active duty (exclusive of training) for at least one year in the United States armed forces between September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991, and who are not currently receiving either the eligible funds or alternative veterans’ exemption.