Chemung County: Veterans Real Property Tax Exemptions

The exemptions are the State's - Real Property Tax Law 458 (eligible funds), 458-a (alternative) and 458-b (Cold War) - each at local option, so the county, each town and city and each school district sets its own limits; the State entries carry the rules. The Veterans Affairs office's Summary of Benefits: "A reduction in property taxes available to war-time veterans, veterans awarded an Expeditionary Medal or their surviving spouses. Ownership of the property is not essential, as long as the veteran or spouse resides in or has lifetime use of the home." The county publishes no table of the limits it or its towns grant; ask the town assessor or the Real Property Tax Services office. The full exemption. Real Property Tax Law 458-a(11) now lets each taxing jurisdiction fully exempt the home of a veteran VA rates permanently and totally disabled. The Budget Committee's minutes: on September 8, 2026, "the Legislature will be receiving an impact analysis on Chemung County regarding the new veterans exemption from the Real Property Director", and on October 5, 2026 a legislator "requested information from the Director of Real Property and inquired about starting the process to move forward with the Veteran Property Tax Exemption." No local law was introduced by October 13, 2026, so for county taxes the full exemption is not yet available. A refund. In May 2026 the county refunded $193.61 of a Big Flats bill because the "Assessor did not apply his Veterans Exemption" - check the exemption on each bill. How to file. With the town or city assessor by the March 1 taxable status date, with the Veterans Affairs office (607-737-5445) helping with the forms and discharge papers. Real Property Tax Services, 210 Lake Street, Elmira; Director Theresa Murdock, 607-737-2989.