Extends real property partial tax exemptions for qualified veterans to include taxes for school purposes

1 Co-sponsor

• Tony Avella

BILL NUMBER:S2236 REVISED 1/28/13

Title of bill

An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to partial property tax exemptions of school taxes for qualified veter- ans

Purpose

To extend the current real property partial tax exemptions for qualified veterans to include taxes for school purposes.

Summary of provisions

Section one amends Real Property Tax Law section 458-a(2)(d)(i) to include local school taxes within the current exemption for veterans.

Section two amends Real Property Tax Law section 458(1)(3) to include local school taxes within the current exemption for veterans.

Section three provides that this act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law and shall apply to all assessment rolls completed on and after such date.

Existing law

Under current law, local governments have the option to provide veterans with an exemption from the general municipal taxes imposed upon real property.

Justification

According to the Center for American Progress, nearly one in seven homeless adults were veterans in 2011. In the same year, 1.5 million veterans were estimated to have been at risk of homelessness due-to poverty, lack of support networks, and dismal living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing. Government at both the state and federal level should do everything it can to change this by helping veterans get back on their feet when they return to civilian life. This bill helps veterans stay in their homes by expanding the property tax exemptions available to them.

Legislative history

2012: S.1995 - Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security & Military Affairs 2011: S.1995 - Reported to Finance 2009-10: S.2195 - Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security & Military Affairs, both years 2008: S.3002 - 3rd Reading 2007: S.3002 - Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security & Military Affairs

Fiscal implications

None to the State

Local fiscal implications

Unknown

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law and shall apply to all assessment rolls completed on and after such date.