An annual $250 deduction from property taxes is available for the property of a Veteran or Surviving Spouse/Domestic Partner of a Veteran. In order to be eligible the applicant must be an owner of the property and citizen and resident of New Jersey as of October 1 of the pre-tax year and the Veteran must have been honorably discharged or released from active service in the US Armed Forces.
To receive either of these veteran benefits, active military service is still required as well as an honorable discharge. However, when and where the veteran served are no longer criteria for eligibility, as long as he or she was called to active duty. Reservists and National Guard personnel must still be called to active duty to qualify. Active Duty for Training continues to be non- qualifying.
You can request a VSS Form, which can be filed with the Assessor or Collector. Additional proof that is required for a veteran include a copy of the Honorable Discharge or Release (DD-214). A surviving spouse/domestic partner must also include a copy of the veteran’s death certificate.
Property Tax Exemption for 100% Disabled Veterans or Surviving Spouse/Domestic Partners
Certain permanently and totally disabled war veterans or the surviving spouses/domestic partners of such disabled war veterans are granted a full property tax exemption on their dwelling house and the lot on which it is situated.
In order to qualify, you must be an honorably discharged veteran, who had active service in the U.S. Armed forces, or the unmarried surviving spouse/domestic partner of such a disabled veteran. Surviving spouses of servicepersons who died in active service during a time of war also qualify. The veteran must be certified as 100% permanently and totally disabled by the United States Veteran’s Administration.
Applicants must also be the owner as well as a permanent resident in the dwelling and a legal resident of the State of New Jersey to qualify. In the case of surviving spouses/domestic partners, the deceased spouse/partner must also have been a legal resident of New Jersey.
You can request an application from the Tax Assessor’s Office, DVSSE Claim Form, which can be filed at any time during the year with the Assessor. Additional proofs required for a veteran include a copy of the Honorable Discharge or Release (DD-214) and the Veterans Administration Certification of Disability. A surviving spouse/domestic partner must also include a copy of the veteran’s death certificate.