Cold War vets’ tax relief might become permanent

Service members who receive a county property tax break because they served during the Cold War era could see that relief become permanent.

Ulster County legislators are to vote next week on a local law making permanent the tax break that currently must be renewed every 10 years.

A hearing held by the Legislature on Tuesday drew no public comment.

The legislation gives qualifying veterans a property tax exemption for 15 percent of their assessed value, not to exceed $45,000. Veterans who suffered a service-related disability would be eligible for an additional exemption equal to the product of the assessed value multiplied by half the compensation rating of the veteran, but not to exceed $150,000.

Legislature Chairman Ken Ronk said that while the county currently offers the tax relief to Cold War veterans, the authorization has had to be reauthorized every 10 years. But “the state passed legislation to allow it to be permanent, so that’s what we’re doing,” said Ronk, R-Wallkill.

Earlier this month, the town of Esopus extended by one year the tax break available to Cold War veterans who live in that community.

The town of Ulster has voted to make permanent the exemption offered to its Cold War veterans, and the city of Kingston is considering extending its Cold War tax break beyond the current 10-year timeframe.