Striving to expand tax relief to veterans’ organizations across the state, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Schenectady) announced passage of a bill he sponsored to allow municipalities to extend property tax exemptions to the rentable portions of buildings owned by veterans’ organizations (A.2283) through the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee.

“Veterans organizations not only advocate for those who served our country, they are also an integral part of our community,” Assemblyman Santabarbara said. “This bill would give municipalities the option to give their property full tax exempt status. Money saved could be put to use fighting for veterans’ causes or supporting those who are currently serving.”

Currently, properties owned by veterans’ organizations, like VFW post buildings, are exempt from paying property taxes. Many of these organizations rent open space in their buildings to community members and other organizations for charitable and educational purposes. In doing so, however, the rent is not always tax exempt, depending on the status of the organization, and therefore, may be subject to local property taxes. This bill would give municipalities the power to extend the exemption from paying local property taxes to include the rental portion for all groups.

“This bill is important because it gives municipalities the option to exempt buildings from local property taxes, while simultaneously recognizing the value veterans organizations add to our communities,” said William Frank, director of the Schenectady County Veterans Service Agency.

“This legislation could help lower costs for organizations like the VFW, and allow us to continue to serve veterans as well as our communities, provide scholarships, increase awareness of veterans issues and give veterans the recognition they deserve,” said Ginger Kusek, commander of VFW Post 1895 (Hilderbrand-Davis Post) in Rotterdam.

Today, Santabarbara attended his first Veterans’ Affairs Committee meeting since taking office. As a veteran of the Army Reserves, Santabarbara knows first-hand the sacrifices service members make, so protecting veterans’ rights will continue to be a top priority.