Great Neck Board of Education approves veteran exemptions

Joe Nikic

War veterans and parents of children who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces will have the option of filing for school property tax exemptions in the upcoming 2016/17 fiscal year.

The Great Neck Public Schools Board of Education unanimously voted to approve two resolutions at their meeting Monday to allow for veterans and “Gold Star” parent tax exemptions.

While board Vice President Larry Gross, who served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, said he supports tax exemptions for veterans, he thinks income should play a role in determining a filer’s exemption.

“I certainly expressed my support for all our current veterans and veterans of the past. However, I feel there should be an income limitation as there is for senior citizens and others,” Gross said. “I hope the state Assembly will modify it so the exemption from taxes be based on financial need as well as service.”

Under the adopted resolutions, veterans who served in war are eligible for a 15 percent real property tax exemption with a maximum of a $12,000 exemption, but those who served in combat zones are eligible for an extra 10 percent property tax exemption not to exceed $8,000 and veterans who sustained service-related disabilities are eligible for a percentage exemption not to exceed $40,000 based on their disability, according to the state Department of Taxation and Finance.

Parents of deceased veterans, or “Gold Star” parents, are entitled to property tax exemptions not to exceed $20,000.

Also at the meeting, the board unanimously approved the same real property tax exemption percentages based on income for senior citizens and people with disabilities and limited income.

Homeowners who qualify as a senior citizen or person with a disability and limited income and make $29,000 per year or less can receive a maximum 50 percent property tax exemption, according to documents provided by the board.

For the same two groups, homeowners who make between $29,001 and $37,399 per year can receive a tax exemption between 45 percent and 5 percent depending on specific income.

Senior citizens and persons with a disability who make $37,400 or more cannot receive school property tax relief.

Also at the meeting, the board approved a ten percent school property tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers.

The next public board meeting is on Jan. 11.

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