The Ballston Spa Central School’s Board of Education is seeking input from area taxpayers regarding the Alternative Veterans’ Tax Exemption program.
The original state exemption allowed municipalities the choice of whether to grant the exemption, providing a reduction in taxes for military veterans.
The state has amended the law, now providing local school districts with the option of also allowing a property tax exemption for military veterans. Exemptions do not affect the school district’s tax levy, but it can increase taxes for all property owners.
Unlike the STAR Tax Exemption program where school districts are reimbursed by the state for the value of the exemptions, the veterans’ exemption is funded through the non-eligible property owners in the school district. Implementing the exemption would result in a redistribution of veteran exempted taxes among taxpayers who do not qualify for the exemption, which would cause the tax increase.
The Board of Education is considering three levels of exemption if they move forward with adopting the Alternative Veterans’ Tax Exemption:
-A Reduced Maximum (Level C),
-A Basic Maximum (Level A)
-An Increased Maximum (Level K).
The Board of Education encourages all district taxpayers to express their opinions by taking the survey via the school district website.
Click here to complete the survey. More information is also available by contacting the school’s administrative office at (518) 884-7195.