North Hempstead extends Cold War veteran tax exemption

Janelle Clausen
Assemblymembers Monica P. Wallace, Anthony D’Urso and Frank Skartados, along with Deborah Girgenti, Assemblyman D’Urso’s Albany Office Director, applaud the passage of the Cold War property tax exemption bill earlier this year. (Photo courtesy of Assemblyman Anthony D'Urso's office)
Assemblymembers Monica P. Wallace, Anthony D’Urso and Frank Skartados, along with Deborah Girgenti, Assemblyman D’Urso’s Albany Office Director, applaud the passage of the Cold War property tax exemption bill earlier this year. (Photo courtesy of Assemblyman Anthony D'Urso's office)

North Hempstead Town Board unanimously approved a property tax exemption for Cold War veterans earlier this month, following the approval of state legislation allowing local municipalities to extend the exemption through resolutions.

The Cold War Veterans exemption first became law in 2007, but was going to sunset after a 10-year term.

With the passage of Cold War Veterans’ Bill 6510, which was authored by state Assemblyman Anthony D’Urso, the exemption allowed villages, towns and counties to extend it indefinitely.

“These brave people served our country and they deserve to get this permanent exemption,” D’Urso said at the time of the bill’s passage.

Some 388 exemptions are currently being granted in the Town of North Hempstead, according to the Nassau County Assessor’s Office.

Overall, according to Charles Berman, the town receiver of taxes, the exemption only removes a “very small amount of taxable assessed value from the tax rolls” and is unlikely to increase town, county or school tax rates.

“I am proud that we are able to continue to extend this tax benefit to our residents who courageously served our country from 1945 to 1991,” Bosworth said in a statement.

Cold War veterans, defined as people who served in active duty between Sept. 2, 1945 and Dec. 26, 1991, can take a maximum 15 percent tax exemption from their property.

There are three property tax exemptions available for veterans in New York: the Alternative Veterans’ Exemption, which is for veterans who served during wartime or received an expeditionary medal, the Cold War Veterans Exemption, and the Eligible Funds Exemption.

Veterans can only choose one exemption, according to the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs.

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