Ogden to Hear Public Feedback on Full Property Tax Exemption for Severely Disabled Veterans

By Mike Zale, Ogden Town Supervisor

Veterans have always held a special place in my heart, in part because service and sacrifice are part of my own family’s history. Members of my family served in multiple conflicts. Some I never had the chance to meet; they were killed in action or died from complications of their service before I was born. Others I knew, and I saw the injuries they carried home. Their stories made the cost of service real to me. Gratitude should mean more than words, barbecues, and parades. We should look for meaningful ways to support veterans who live with a permanent and total disability caused by their service. That is exactly why we are considering a new tax exemption to help.

The Ogden Town Board will hold a public hearing on a proposed New York State property tax exemption for qualifying veterans at 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 10. Our meetings are typically on Wednesdays, but Wednesday the 11th is Veterans Day.

The new state law allows participating local governments to fully exempt the primary residence of a qualifying veteran whom the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs considers permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service. The exemption also covers special-district charges, assessments, and special ad valorem levies under the law.

Eligibility is not automatic for every veteran with a 100% VA disability rating. The veteran must provide documentation from the VA specifically stating that the disability is permanent and total and resulted from military service. The veteran must also meet the other requirements of New York’s veterans exemption law.

For years, Ogden has offered the maximum limits available under the state’s existing Alternative Veterans Exemption. That program provides partial exemptions tied to qualifying service and disability. The new provision is separate: it creates the option for a full exemption for a more specifically defined group of veterans.

Some recent coverage has noted that many local governments are still deciding whether to adopt the exemption. The law’s history helps explain why. Since it was first enacted, New York State has amended it several times, changing local decision-making, eligibility, and the start date. Officials also needed clear guidance on the documentation required and how the exemption would work in practice. The state has now issued an updated application and instructions.

Careful review matters because this exemption is not funded like STAR. STAR provides school-tax relief, with the State reimbursing school districts for the STAR exemption. This new exemption does not come with comparable state reimbursement. If a local levy remains unchanged, exempting some property can shift more of that levy to the remaining taxable properties. That financial effect deserves an informed discussion alongside the clear benefit to eligible veterans.

The Town Board has met with area taxing authorities to review the law and share Ogden’s intention to consider it. Each authority must decide separately whether to exempt its own tax levy. Monroe County has adopted the exemption, and the Village of Spencerport has indicated it intends to bring the proposal before its board. We do not yet know what other taxing authorities will decide.

For a typical Ogden property tax bill, Town taxes represent roughly 14% of the total, though the actual share varies by property. The Town Board’s decision cannot determine what the County, Village, or school district does with its own tax levy. State law also addresses special-district charges, so residents with questions about specific lines on their tax bills are welcome to raise them with the Town Assessor.

If the Town adopts the exemption, eligible residents would submit one application to the Ogden Assessor’s Office. That application would be used for each taxing jurisdiction on the Town’s assessment roll that has also adopted the exemption; residents would not need to file a separate form with each participating authority. Once approved, the exemption continues in future years without annual reapplication.

Because Ogden’s taxable-status date is March 1, adoption would first affect the 2028 Town tax year. The application would need to be filed with the Assessor by the applicable deadline.

The public hearing is an opportunity for residents to share their views and ask questions before the Board makes a decision. I encourage community members—especially veterans, their families, and anyone with questions about the impact—to attend.

We are fortunate to live in a country protected by extraordinary men and women willing to serve. My family’s history reminds me that some paid the ultimate price, while others continue to live with the consequences of their service. This exemption cannot repay those sacrifices, but it can offer tangible support to veterans who qualify. I hope you will join us on November 10 and share your perspective.