Veteran Tax Reductions

Veterans Property Tax Exemptions

New York State offers several property tax exemptions for qualifying veterans and certain family members. These exemptions are not automatic. Veterans must apply through their local assessor, and each taxing jurisdiction determines which optional exemptions it offers.

Alternative Veterans Exemption

The Alternative Veterans Exemption may reduce the assessed value of the primary residence of a qualifying veteran or eligible family member.

Eligibility generally includes veterans who served during a designated period of war or received an expeditionary medal. Additional exemptions may be available for combat service or a service-connected disability.

Cold War Veterans Exemption

The Cold War Veterans Exemption may reduce the assessed value of the primary residence of a qualifying veteran or eligible family member.

The qualifying Cold War period is September 2, 1945, through December 26, 1991. An additional exemption may be available for veterans with a service-connected disability.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted to the assessor for the municipality where the property is located. Required documentation may include:

  • Military discharge documentation, such as a DD-214
  • Documentation showing ownership of the property
  • Documentation of an expeditionary medal, combat service or service-connected disability, if applicable

The application deadline in most communities is March 1. Applicants should confirm the deadline and documentation requirements with their local assessor.

School Tax Exemptions

School districts may choose to offer the Alternative Veterans Exemption and Cold War Veterans Exemption to qualifying property owners. Approval by a county, city, town or village does not automatically make an exemption available for school taxes.

When a school district adopts an exemption, the district works with the appropriate local assessor to apply it to qualifying properties.

Veterans or surviving spouses already receiving an exemption should contact their local assessor to determine whether any additional application or documentation is required for school tax purposes.

Alternative Veterans Exemption by School District

According to Genesee County’s veterans exemption report dated March 1, 2025, the following school districts offer the Alternative Veterans Exemption:

  • Alden
  • Alexander
  • Attica
  • Batavia
  • Brockport
  • Byron-Bergen
  • Caledonia-Mumford
  • Elba
  • Oakfield-Alabama
  • Pembroke

Cold War Veterans Exemption by School District

According to the same report, the following school districts offer the Cold War Veterans Exemption:

  • Batavia
  • Caledonia-Mumford
  • Pembroke

Additional Information

View Genesee County Veterans Exemption Levels (PDF)(PDF, 26KB)

Learn more about veterans property tax exemptions from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

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