Southampton School Board Authorizes Veterans' Exemptions

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — The Southampton school district agreed to authorize veterans' exemptions this week, the district said.

At its Feb. 13 meeting, Southampton Union Free School District's Board of Education approved three resolutions to partially exempt property taxes for eligible veterans and “Gold Star Parents” at the basic maximum levels, the district said in a release.

“Southampton is pleased to support and express appreciation toward our veterans and their families by granting them this opportunity,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nicholas Dyno. “We are thankful for the service and sacrifices that have been made by our veterans, and we continue to appreciate the various community service initiatives instituted by our local veterans.”

According to a release sent out by the district, as provided in the Real Property Tax Law 458-a, the board adopted the Alternative Veterans’ Exemption at the basic maximum levels:

1. Basic Exemption for Qualifying Veterans: A tax exemption of 15% of the assessed value of the property, not to exceed $12,000 or the product of $12,000 multiplied by the latest state equalization rate for the assessing unit, whichever is less.
2. Combat Zone Exemption for Qualifying Veterans: An additional tax exemption of 10% of the assessed value of qualifying residential property of veterans who are documented to have served in a combat zone, not to exceed $8,000 or the product of $8,000 multiplied by the latest state equalization rate, whichever is less.
3. Disabled Veterans Exemption for Qualifying Veterans: In addition to the above exemptions, where the veteran received a compensation rating from the United States Veterans’ Administration or from the United States Department of Defense based upon a service related disability, the qualifying residential property will be exempt to the extent of the product of the assessed value multiplied by 50% of the veteran’s disability rating, not to exceed $40,000 or the product of $40,000 multiplied by the latest state equalization rate, whichever is less.

Also, the voard adopted the statutory basic maximums as defined by Real Property Tax Law section 458-b, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), subparagraph (ii) and section 458-b, subdivision 2, paragraph (b) for its maximum for exemptions under Real Property Tax law section 458-b, at the following levels, the district said:

• Basic Exemption for Qualifying Cold War Veterans: A tax exemption of 15% of the assessed value of the property, not to exceed $12,000 or the product of $12,000 multiplied by the latest state equalization rate for the assessing unit, whichever is less.
• Disabled Veterans Exemption for Qualifying Cold War Veterans: In addition to the above exemptions, where the Cold War veteran received a compensation rating from the United States Veterans’ Administration or from the United States Department of Defense based upon a service related disability, the qualifying residential property will be exempt to the extent of the product of the assessed value multiplied by 50% of the veteran’s disability rating, not to exceed $40,000 or the product of $40,000 multiplied by the latest state equalization rate, whichever is less.

And, for the Gold Star Parents’ Exemption, the board adopted the following levels authorized under the Real Property Tax Law, the district said:

1. Basic Exemption for Qualifying Gold Star Parents: A tax exemption of 15% of the assessed value of the property, not to exceed $12,000 or the product of $12,000 multiplied by the latest state equalization rate for the assessing unit, whichever is less.
2. Combat Zone Exemption for Qualifying Gold Star Parents: An additional tax exemption of 10% of the assessed value of qualifying residential property of veterans who are documented to have served in a combat zone, not to exceed $8,000 or the product of $8,000 multiplied by the latest state equalization rate, whichever is less.

Additionally, the board extended the Alternative Veterans’ Exemption to include those military personnel who served in the Reserve component of the United States Armed Forces that were deemed on active duty under Executive Order 11519 signed March 23, 1970, 35 Federal Register 5003, dated March 24, 1970 and later designated by the United States Department of Defense as Operation Graphic Hand, if such member was discharged or released therefrom under honorable conditions, provided that such veteran meets all other qualifications of Real Property Tax Law 458-a.

Patch file phot.