New York Veterans Might Receive School Tax Exemption

In December 2013 Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill that would allow school districts to implement a Veterans Tax Exemption for school taxes.

This exemption would be in addition to exemptions veterans are entitled to for county, city, town, and village taxes. The exemptions 15 percent reduction in assessed value for veterans who served during at time of war, another 10 percent for those who were in combat zones. and an additional reduction for service-connected disabilities.

It seems many school districts are taking their time to implement this exemption, and some have refused to allow this particular exemption to take effect; saying that this would shift the tax burden to non-veterans. One school district estimated that it would create an increase of $0.73 for non-veteran tax payers.


New York does have tax exemptions for veterans, the three exemptions are:
Alternative Veterans Exemption: Available only on residential property of a veteran who served during a designated time of war or who have received an Expeditionary Medal.

Cold War Veterans Exemption. Available only on residential property of a veteran who served during the Cold War.

Eligible Funds Exemption. Applies to property that a veteran or certain other designated person purchases. Such purchases must be made with pension, bonus, or insurance monies.

This school tax exemption would be another small way to say Thank You to our veterans, and should be granted.

---- Jerald Terwilliger  Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

WebRep

currentVote

noRating

noWeight

New York Cold War Certificate

The State of New York has authorized a "Cold War Certificate" and this will probably mean that New York will not be issuing a Cold War Medal now or in the near future.

Assemblyman Robin Schimminger has urged veterans to apply for a Cold War Certificate, a program
throughout the state meant to honor those men and women who served their country during the
Cold War.

“The time to honor our state’s Cold Warriors is long overdue,” said Schimminger, later adding, “At a time when the threat of nuclear war put Americans at unease, Cold Warriors stood ready to take action, and their service to this great nation deserves recognition.”

Too often veterans go unnoticed, especially those who served in wars that were not as lauded as some. As a society we often recognize those veterans who served in World War II. Veterans who served in other wars, however, such as the Cold War, are not so easily acknowledged. Yet they were also willing, if need be, to sacrifice their lives. They risked so much to serve their country and its people.

We applaud Schimminger for creating this new certificate recognizing a group of veterans that often go unrecognized. We hope that residents take advantage of this and receive the acknowledgment that they rightly deserve.

Their contributions were great. Veterans of the Cold War participated in hundreds of military exercises and operations that promoted peace in the world. They airlifted supplies to Berlin in 1948, went on alert when Egypt claimed the Suez Canal in 1956 and blockaded Cuba during the 1962 missile crisis.

“There were no parades, no monuments and no victory or campaign medals to honor the service of these veterans,” Schimminger said.

Schimminger created an opportunity for veterans to receive recognition that’s long overdue, and we encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity.

To be eligible for the certificate, the applicant must be a citizen of New York State or a citizen during the time of service in the armed forces. The applicant must also have been honorably discharged and have served between September 1945 and December 1991.

For more information, call Schimminger’s office at 716-873-2540 or email at schimmr@assembly.ny.state.

While we applaud any action that will recognize and honor our Cold War Veterans,  we feel that a certificate is just not the same as a medal. 

I do however encourage all New York Veterans to apply for this Cold War Certificate, which will let them know that they are not totally forgotten; and receive this honor and recognition.

---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

WebRep

currentVote

noRating

noWeight

New York State increases tax exemption for Cold War Veterans

The New York Sate Legislature has taken a brave step forward for Cold War Veterans.

The legislature recently increased the amount of tax exemptions being given to Cold War Veterans. The increase was from $12,000 to $54,000. For those with service connected disabilities the increase is from $54,000 to $180,000.

This exemption is for those who served during the Cold War, from Sept. 2, 1945 to Dec. 26, 1991. Other tax exemptions for those who served during wartime periods are already in place.

It is now up to each local tax board and city council to approve the increase. It is hoped that even with
municipalities facing financial problems that each and everyone will approve the new exemption amounts as quickly as possibly.

It is just a small way to thank, honor and remember those who served. Cold War Veterans are a
very large voting block, and will remember who stood up to assist us for a long time. For those
who might be against these increases, veterans have a long memory, elections are not that far away.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"


---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

New York City Councilman wants to give Cold War Veterans Tax Break

New York city councilman Vincent J. Gentile is introducing a bill that would give about 24,000 Cold War Veterans the same exemption on property taxes that are given to veterans of other wars.

A fifteen percent exemption on property taxes would be available for all Cold War Veterans for 15 years and would be capped at $39.000. The period September 2, 1945 through December 26, 1991 is considered the Cold War Era by the legislation. A discharge or separation of honorable conditions

In 2009 New York State gave cities, towns, villages and counties the option to grant this exemption to Cold War Veterans. Councilman Gentile said "My legislation would have New York City opt into the
 state tax exemption to make sure all our veterans are given the respect and courtesy they deserve."

It is our hope that more states take the same course and provide recognition to all Cold War Veterans.
Small steps, taken a few at a time, but we would like to see it turn into a groundswell to finally say
"Thank You" to the Cold War Veterans.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"

---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996