Cold War Veterans Blog

Cold War veterans urged to file for Oneida County property tax exemption

WKTV) - Cold War veterans from Oneida County are being urged to file for a property tax exemption the county granted late in 2008.

"this tax exemption is a small, tangible expression of our thanks and support for their service during one of the defining times of our nation's history, and one that impacted our region so greatly during the rime when Griffiss Air Force Base was operational," said Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente.

The exemption is based on 10% of the property's assessed value, with some restrictions.

The county says about 8,500 Oneida County residents are eligible for the exemption.

In addition to Cold War veterans and their spouses, a surviving spouse who has not remarried is eligible.

A Cold War veteran must have served sometime between September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991, and must have been discharged or released under honorable conditions.

Veterans who already are receiving certain exemptions may not be eligible for the new benefit.

Veterans interested in applying should call the Oneida County Veterans Service Agency at 798-5830 in Utica or 336-4270 in Rome.

The application is available on line at http://www.orps.state.ny.us/ref/forms/index.htm

Veterans who go online will need to search for "RP-458-b Application For Cold War Veterans Exemption From Real Property Taxation.