Veterans’ Services announces the deadline for the Veterans’ Exemptions Eligibility.
Veterans who may be entitled to a tax exemption must have their DD214 discharge papers on file with the City Clerk’s Office on or before Sept. 30 to receive an exemption for the Oct. 1, 2013 Grand List. Veterans who have previously recorded their discharge papers and are already receiving an exemption, need not refile.
Additionally, any veteran who has recently been honorably discharged, or moved to Bristol, and has 90 days or more of wartime service, must record his/her DD214 discharge papers with the City Clerk’s Office and the Assessor’s Office on or before Sept. 30.
Any person having served anywhere after Aug. 2, 1990 for 90 days or more of active service and has been honorably discharged, or is a member of the military who is currently serving honorably, are now eligible for a veteran exemption. Members who are actively serving should contact the Bristol Assessor’s Office at (860)584-6240 for details on needed documentation. Veterans discharged after Aug. 2, 1990, and who previously filed his/her DD214, must contact the Bristol Assessor’s Office in order to activate this exemption.
Effective Oct. 1, 2009, the dates for Operation Earnest Will have been changed to the period of July 24, 1987 to Aug. 1, 1990.
Veterans or their surviving spouse with an income less than $40,900 (married) or $33,500 (single) may qualify for additional benefits. Qualifying income means adjusted gross income as determined for the purpose of the Federal Income Tax, plus Social Security and any other income not included in such adjusted gross income. Application for the additional veteran exemption must be completed at the assessor’s office no later than Oct. 1.
Spouses of deceased veterans, who have not remarried, are also eligible for the same exemption for which the veteran was qualified.
Active duty service members
As of July 1, 2008, any active member of the armed forces is entitled to the full exemption of one motor vehicle, regardless of the location of his or her vehicle. The definition of armed forces is the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force and any reserve component thereof, including the Connecticut National Guard performing duty. Members who are actively serving should contact the Bristol assessor’s office at (860)584-6240 for details on needed documentation.
Disabled veterans
Connecticut disabled veterans who receive eligibility notices directly from the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs may be entitled to property tax assessment exemptions ranging from 2,250 to 4,500 for service-related disabilities depending upon disability rating. In order to receive this exemption, the veteran must file form 20-5455 with the Assessor’s Office prior to the Board of Assessment Appeals completion of duties.
New legislation only requires the disabled veteran to file the initial form 20-5455 to activate any applicable exemptions. It is no longer required to be filed every year (except in the event that the disability rating changes). Disabled veterans who have reached the age of 65 should notify their local Assessor’s Office of there date of birth.
Veterans in need of a tax exemption notice from the VA may call the Newington Regional Office at 1-800-827-1000 for a replacement form.
For further information, call the Bristol Veterans’ Service at (860) 584-6299.