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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
July 3, 2008
Contact: Gia Storms
(212) 669-4813; (917) 626-6757
Release #:25-2008
PA Gotbaum: Iraq, Afghanistan War Vets Shortchanged on
City Property Tax Relief
MANHATTAN – New York City Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum brought together city and state officials today in an effort to pass a law at the city and state level to allow veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan to receive partial exemption from municipal property taxes - the same exemption that veterans of other wars already receive.
Section 458-a of the New York State Real Property Tax Law currently gives a tax break to veterans - from the Spanish-American War, Mexican Border period, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Cold War, and the Persian Gulf conflict – who are New York state homeowners. The law would be amended to add the following to the above list: war in Afghanistan (September 11, 2001 to present) and war in Iraq (March 12, 2003 to present). This would allow eligible veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq to receive a tax benefit which would provide partial exemption on municipal property taxes.
All eligible veterans can receive up to a 15% exemption against the assessed value of their property. Any veteran who served in a combat zone is eligible for an additional 10% exemption, or 25% total. Any veteran who became disabled as a result of military service is entitled to an additional exemption equal to the product of the property’s assessed value multiplied by 50% of the veteran’s disability rating. The real property tax law would also be changed to state that any county, city, town, or village that provides this property tax exemption will be reimbursed by the State for any lost revenue. The spouse or domestic partner of a veteran is eligible as well for exemptions at all levels, while the parents of a veteran killed in the line of duty are eligible for the first two exemption levels.
Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum said, “Veterans make some of the biggest sacrifices of any New Yorker, or any person, period. No matter what war a veteran fights in, they deserve to receive the support from their country for that sacrifice. Amending this law will uphold our nation’s ideals and our support for veterans, giving them a benefit they deserve.”
State Senator Eric Schneiderman said, “The men and women who have recently served our country and put their lives on the line deserve the same supports that veterans from previous generations have received. As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day and reflect on the sacrifices of those who have fought for our freedoms, I call on my colleagues in the state Legislature to stand with our vets who bravely served in Afghanistan and Iraq to fix this tax loophole during the next special session.”
City Councilman Hiram Monserrate said, “Veterans from yesterday’s wars and today’s conflicts face and make the same sacrifices. Our own history sets a precedent for ensuring our soldiers who make it home are provided these property tax breaks. We cannot allow these men and women to pay another tax bill without the benefits they are entitled. That’s why we are calling on the city and state to take the first step to honoring veterans’ service by ensuring this exemption is provided as soon as possible.”
State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt said, “Veterans of recent wars serve their country with distinction in a time where they have been asked to do more than ever. It is only right that the law treat them equally with other vets."
Gotbaum was joined on the steps of City Hall by State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-Manhattan), who is introducing a bill in the state Senate at the Public Advocate’s request, and City Councilman and Chair of the Veteran’s Committee Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens), an Iraq veteran, and representatives from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the nation's first and largest group dedicated to the troops and veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the civilian supporters of those troops and veterans. Monserrate is signing onto Gotbaum’s resolution calling on the state to amend the Real Property Tax Law. Once the legislation passes in Albany, Gotbaum will introduce a bill in the City Council that would allow the city of New York to opt into this law. A companion bill by Assemblyman Sam Hoyt (D-Buffalo), Assembly No. 8926, has already been introduced in the State Assembly.
The law would take effect on January 1st, following the date on which it was passed.
In 2007, 66,252 veterans’ exemptions were given by the New York City Department of Finance, resulting in an average savings of $405 per property.
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