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Cold War Veterans Exemption

A 10% exemption — 15% at local option — for veterans who served during the Cold War period and so cannot claim the wartime Alternative exemption. The basic exemption runs for TEN YEARS unless your taxing jurisdiction has removed the limit by local law or resolution; the disability portion is permanent either way. Un-remarried surviving spouses qualify.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

A 10% exemption — 15% at local option — for veterans who served during the Cold War period and so cannot claim the wartime Alternative exemption. The basic exemption runs for TEN YEARS unless your taxing jurisdiction has removed the limit by local law or resolution; the disability portion is permanent either way. Un-remarried surviving spouses qualify.

What it's worth: 10% of assessed value, or 15% at local option, plus a disability share

  • The base is 10% of assessed value, which a locality may raise to 15%. A further exemption equal to half your disability rating applies on top.
  • The BASIC exemption is limited to ten years, unless the taxing jurisdiction adopts a local law or resolution removing the limit. Ask your assessor whether yours has — otherwise it ends in year eleven.
  • The DISABILITY portion is permanent and is not subject to the ten-year limit.
  • Un-remarried surviving spouses of Cold War veterans qualify.
  • As with the Alternative exemption, each maximum is multiplied by the locality’s equalization rate.
  • You cannot hold this and the Alternative exemption at once. Where both are open to you, take the Alternative — it is worth more.

Who is entitled to it

  • You served in the U.S. armed forces.
  • You served during the Cold War period.
  • The property is your primary residence.
  • Your locality offers this exemption.
  • Your home is in New York.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

Deadline: March 1 in most towns — taxable status date
  1. 1Ask your assessor whether this jurisdiction adopted the Cold War exemption and at which level.
  2. 2File form RP-458-b before the taxable status date.
File with
Your town, city or village assessor
Documents you will need
dd214 ny · va rating letter ny · proof of residence ny
Stays in place once granted
Tell the assessor when your rating changes — the disability portion moves with it.
Worth knowingThis exemption exists because the Alternative exemption requires wartime service, which left everyone who served between Vietnam and the Gulf with nothing. If you served in that window and were told you did not qualify for a veterans exemption, this is the one you were not told about.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.