Yorktown approves four property tax exemptions for veterans, first responders

Yorktown is following Westchester County’s lead by approving four new property tax exemptions for eligible veterans, active-duty military members serving in combat zones and surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty.

The exemptions will be provided at the maximum amounts permitted under New York state law and apply to several groups, including active-duty members of the armed forces who served in combat zones, permanently and totally disabled veterans and surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty.

The exemptions, approved by the Yorktown Town Board on Oct. 20, include a partial exemption of up to 25 percent of a property's assessed value, capped at $20,000, for qualified active-duty members of the armed forces who served in a combat zone. Town Assessor Gary Link said applicants must apply annually because their eligibility status can change from year to year.

Surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty will be eligible for a 50 percent property tax exemption.

The exemptions also include a 100 percent real property tax exemption for the primary residences of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled as a result of their military service. The exemption includes special district charges, assessments and special ad valorem levies.

Councilwoman Susan Siegel voted against the 100 percent exemption for permanently and totally disabled veterans.

“I was married to a veteran, and my father was a veteran, so I certainly honor the service of our veterans,” she said. “I think that, since people are employable, I have a problem shifting the tax burden to other people in this community.”

But Lachterman and Deputy Supervisor Sergio Esposito said the exemptions made sense, with Lachterman estimating at the Oct. 20 Town Board meeting that they would increase taxes by only about $4 per household. Councilman Patrick Murphy also supported the exemptions.

Surviving spouses of qualifying volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers killed in the line of duty will be eligible for a partial tax exemption of up to 50 percent.

The exemption for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty does not continue if the surviving spouse remarries, while eligible surviving spouses of volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers may retain their exemption after remarriage

Supervisor Ed Lachterman has previously said the exemptions are available to municipalities across New York and that Yorktown is largely following state guidelines.

“I think that we owe that to our first responders and our veterans, and it's the least we could do, especially for those that are killed,” Lachterman told Yorktown News.

Lachterman also noted that exemptions can shift some of the tax burden to other property owners, making public input important.

“While it is a time that the town is looking to save money, these are some exemptions that I think speak to the service and the dedication and loss, or the extreme danger that people are in when they are there,” Lachterman said at the Sept. 29 work session. “These are the people that are supporting our community in ways that most people do not.”

The new exemptions will take effect with the 2027 tax roll, with the first exemptions expected in spring 2028, Lachterman said.