Property Tax Exemptions For Veterans

There are three different property tax exemptions available to Veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

• Alternative Veterans’ Exemption
• Cold War Veterans’ Exemption
• Eligible Funds Exemption

The exemption applies to county, city, town, and village taxes.  Exemptions may apply to school district taxes. 

Obtaining a veterans exemption is not automatic – If you're an eligible veteran, you must submit the initial exemption application form to your assessor. The deadline in most communities is March 1—please confirm the date with your assessor. 

• Available only on residential property of a Veteran who has served during a designated time of war or received an expeditionary medal
• Currently available in over 95 percent of the county, city, town, and village taxing jurisdictions across the state. The remainder of these jurisdictions may choose to offer this exemption in the future
• Veteran applicants should check with the assessor or clerk in the municipalities in which they reside to see whether the Alternative Veterans’ Exemption is offered
• Extra tax reductions available for combat and United States Department of Veterans Affairs service-connected disabilities
• May be available for school district taxes.  School districts must elect to offer the exemption
• Eligibility requirements

• Available only on residential property of a Veteran who served during the Cold War period
• Counties, cities, towns, and villages have the option to offer this exemption to qualified Veterans
• Extra tax reductions available for United States Department of Veterans Affairs service-connected disabilities
• Check with your assessor or clerk to see whether the Cold war Veterans’ exemption is offered
• Eligibility requirements

• Provides a partial exemption
• Applies to property that a Veteran or certain other designated person purchases. Such owners must purchase the property with pension, bonus, or insurance monies
• May be available for school district and other taxes
• Eligibility requirements

Eligible Veterans must submit the initial exemption application form to the assessor. There is a deadline for filing.  For additional details, including filing deadlines and applications, please contact your local tax assessor's office.

Acceptable Military Records

Please reference the listing of documents that may be used to prove discharge under honorable conditions.

For Additional Information 

If you would like additional information regarding Property Tax Exemptions, please visit the Department of Taxation and Finance’s Website.

On December 19, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed S.1183/A.74 into law as Chapter 672 of the Laws of 2025, establishing a new real property tax exemption for qualifying Veterans.

Under New York State Real Property Tax Law § 458-a (11), local taxing jurisdictions may adopt a full exemption for the primary residence of qualifying Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled as a result of their military service. 

By law, municipalities and school districts that adopt this exemption are required to notify the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) within 30 days of adoption.

The following municipalities have adopted the exemption and notified DVS of their adoption. 

This list reflects notifications received by DVS as required by law and may not include all municipalities that have adopted the exemption. 

DVS will continue updating the list as notifications are received. 

Cayuga County

• City of Auburn

Monroe County

• Monroe County 

Otsego County

• Town of Milford

Saratoga County

• City of Saratoga Springs

Suffolk County

• Town of Huntington

Westchester County

• Village of Rye Brook

For information about eligibility, applications and which taxes are covered by the exemption in your respective community, contact your local assessor’s office.

Last updated: October 11, 2026