12 November 2008
Suozzi & Legislators Announce Tax Exemption for Cold War Veterans
Mineola, NY – Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi announced that Cold War-era veterans in Nassau County are eligible for a property tax exemption of up to 15%. Veterans who served more than a year in service from Sept. 2, 1945, to Dec. 26, 1991 may apply for the exemption, which allows Cold War veterans to get the same tax exemption as veterans who served during wartime. It applies to the veterans' un-remarried spouses. Disabled veterans get an additional exemption.
"Although the guns were silent, the threat and potential for national disaster was real. Veterans who served during the Cold War preserved the peace by sacrificing years of their lives to service and being ready to defend us with their lives," said County Executive Suozzi. "It is important that we get the word out to all veterans that whether they served during a time of war or a time of cold war, Nassau County has extended the Veterans Real Tax Exemption. We are grateful to all of our veterans for putting their lives on the line to protect us."
Assemblyman Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove), who sponsored the legislation in the New York State Assembly, said, "We Americans have always had to fight for our rights and those who have served in our military have been on the front lines of that battle. Given that, we owe them a solemn debt of gratitude. It was especially meaningful for me to have had the honor of sponsoring the Cold War Veterans Tax Exemption Bill in the New York State Assembly. This legislation honors the service of all those who served during the years of the Cold War."
Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg (D-Merrick) sponsored the legislation locally. He said, “I believe that we can never thank our veterans enough for their service. Providing tax relief is the least government can do for those who gave so much to their country. This law provides that the men and women who served during the cold war will be treated as serving during war-time for purposes of this veteran’s tax exemption. Having grown up in the late 1960s and 1970s, I remember the anxiety and fears of that war and the battles within that war; in the end it was a 46-year war that the US won because of the valiant service of the men and women of our armed forces.” Legislator Denenberg is Vice-Chair of the Veterans Committee.
Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove) said, "I am proud to have ensured the Legislature's unanimous passage of the Cold War Veterans' tax exemption, an important and helpful initiative. It is a tribute to the men and women who served our nation between the end of World War II through the early 1990s. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country and given of their time and knowledge to their respective communities that it is an honor to have their community give them this small token of appreciation."
Legislator and Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps Dennis Dunne (R-Levittown) said, "As a veteran myself, I am so thankful to all of the men and women who served this country during the prime of their lives and prepared to die for this nation. Providing this exemption is one way to exhibit the county's gratitude towards our veterans."
Legislator, Chair of the Veterans Committee, and former Sergeant in the US Air Force Roger Corbin (D-Westbury) said, "This legislation is long overdue, and I commend County Executive Suozzi and Presiding Officer Yatauro for allowing us to sponsor the bill. In addition, I thank Assemblyman Chuck Lavine for introducing legislation in Albany. Legislator Denenberg and I believed veterans tax exemptions should be extended to all veterans who served in US military and given the state of the economy, and the difficulty Nassau County residents are having with their bills, this is just a small way to show some appreciation."
Legislator Judi Bosworth (D-Great Neck) said, "It is particularly poignant to be recognizing our veterans with the Cold War Tax Exemption on the day that we mark the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the "night of broken glass." It is a reminder to us of how grateful we are to the brave men and women who serve in the Armed Forces, sacrificing so much and putting themselves in harms way. They are the ones who are the protectors of freedom and liberty in our great nation and who help to protect the basic rights of people throughout the world. We are thankful to our veterans and need to support them and thank them in every way possible."
Legislator Dave Mejias (D-Farmingdale) said, "I have a lot of veterans in my district who took an oath to put their lives on the line for this country. This is the least we can do for them."
Legislator Wayne Wink (D-Roslyn) said, "In order to show our support and appreciation to those who have offered themselves up to make the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country, this tax exemption signifies our respect to those veterans who served during the Cold War."
The Cold War exemption of 15% adopted by the Legislature applies to countytaxes but not school or special district taxes and is limited to 10 years. Veterans with a service-connected disability can increase the value of the exemption by one half of their disability rating.
Each individual County municipality has the option of deciding whether to grant the Cold War exemption to their veterans. The Cold War is defined as September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991. Veterans who served during the Korean or Vietnam Wars or who received an expeditionary medal for operations in Lebanon, Grenada or Panama during specified times of conflict are eligible for the Alternative Veterans Exemption. No veteran can receive both a Cold War and a war time tax exemption. The Cold War exemption of 15% adopted by the Legislature applies to countytaxes but not school or special district taxes and is limited to 10 years. Veterans with a service-connected disability can increase the value of the exemption by one half of their disability rating.
Veterans may contact the Veterans Service Agency at (516) 572-8452 or the Nassau County Assessor's Office at (516) 571-1500 for an application.
