NEW ROCHELLE, NY (October 21, 2026) — Veterans who own homes in New Rochelle have until December 1 to apply for property tax exemptions, including a new benefit that eliminates city, county and school property taxes on the primary residences of qualifying veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities.
The New Rochelle City Council unanimously approved the exemption as part of its consent agenda on October 20, joining Westchester County and the City School District of New Rochelle in adopting the tax relief. The Westchester County Board of Legislators unanimously approved the exemption September 14, followed by the New Rochelle Board of Education on October 8.
The new exemption, authorized under New York State Real Property Tax Law § 458-a(11), provides a full exemption from qualifying property taxes for veterans with permanent and total disabilities resulting from military service.
Veterans who do not qualify for the full exemption may still be eligible for existing partial property tax exemptions based on military service, combat experience or service-connected disability ratings. Veterans who have never applied for an exemption, or whose disability status has changed, should review their eligibility before the December 1 deadline.
City Assessor Already Reviewing Veterans’ Records
New Rochelle City Assessor Philip M. Platz confirmed that his office has already begun reviewing existing records to identify veterans who qualify for the new exemption.
“Based on the submissions we already had on file, we were able to see that a number of veterans were already eligible for the upcoming assessment roll,” Platz said.
For veterans whose eligibility could not be established from existing documentation, the assessor’s office has contacted them to request updated letters from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Many of these veterans have already submitted an updated letter,” Platz said.
Veterans who already receive a property tax exemption may not need to submit a completely new application. However, they should contact the assessor’s office if they are uncertain whether their existing documentation establishes eligibility for the new benefit.
“Any Veteran who does not have an existing veteran’s exemption can apply before Taxable Status Date, which in the City of New Rochelle is December 1st of each year,” Platz said.
How Veterans Can Apply
Veterans seeking property tax relief should contact the New Rochelle Assessor’s Office to determine which exemptions they qualify for and what documentation is necessary.
Applicants should be prepared to provide the following:
1. Military discharge records (DD-214): These records establish military service and discharge status. Veterans who need replacement records can request them through the National Archives at https://vetrecs.archives.gov/s/.
2. VA disability documentation: Veterans claiming an exemption based on service-connected disability must provide official documentation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To qualify for the new full exemption, the documentation must specifically establish permanent and total disability resulting from military service. A 100% disability rating alone does not necessarily establish permanent and total disability. Veterans can obtain their benefits letters through https://www.va.gov/.
3. New York State Form RP-458-a: This is the application for the Alternative Veterans Exemption, including the new exemption for veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities. The application is available at https://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/current_forms/orpts/rp458a_fill_in.pdf.
4. Proof of property ownership and primary residence: Applicants should provide documentation establishing ownership of the property and that it qualifies as their primary residence.
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance updated Form RP-458-a and its instructions in October to accommodate the new exemption.
Veterans who already receive an exemption should contact the assessor’s office before submitting a duplicate application. Platz said his office has been reviewing existing files and contacting veterans when updated documentation is necessary.
Veterans whose service-connected disability ratings have increased should also check whether they qualify for additional property tax relief under the existing Alternative Veterans Exemption.
Existing Veterans Tax Exemptions Remain Available
Veterans do not have to be permanently and totally disabled to qualify for property tax relief.
New York’s Alternative Veterans Exemption provides partial reductions in assessed property value for qualifying veterans based on military service and service-connected disabilities.
The exemption generally provides a 15% reduction in assessed value for qualifying wartime service, an additional 10% for qualifying combat-zone service and an additional reduction equal to one-half of a veteran’s service-connected disability rating.
These reductions are subject to maximum limits established by local governments.
For example, a veteran with a qualifying service-connected disability rating may be eligible for an additional reduction in assessed property value even without meeting the permanent and total disability requirements of the new exemption.
The new exemption goes further by providing a full exemption from qualifying property taxes for eligible veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities.
Veterans who have never applied for any property tax exemption may be eligible for significant savings even if they do not qualify for the new full exemption.
December 1 Deadline for Applications
Platz confirmed that December 1 is New Rochelle’s annual taxable status date and the filing deadline for veterans who do not already receive an exemption.
The deadline applies to applications for the upcoming assessment roll.
Veterans who believe they may qualify should contact the assessor’s office before December 1 rather than assume that their military service or VA disability status automatically entitles them to an exemption.
Veterans who already receive partial exemptions should also make sure the assessor’s office has current information, particularly if their disability ratings have changed or they have received a VA determination of permanent and total disability.
Where to Apply and Get Help
City of New Rochelle Assessor’s Office
515 North Ave.
New Rochelle, NY 10801
Telephone: (914) 654-2052
Email: PPlatz@NewRochelleNY.gov
City Assessor: Philip M. Platz
Veterans can find additional information about exemption applications and requirements on the city’s website:
https://www.newrochelleny.gov/653/Exemption-Applications-and-Requirements
New York State Form RP-458-a is available at:
https://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/current_forms/orpts/rp458a_fill_in.pdf
Additional information about veterans property tax exemptions is available from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance:
https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/exemption/vetexempt.htm
The application deadline is December 1, 2026.
The new exemption applies to qualifying city, county and school property taxes in New Rochelle. Veterans who do not qualify for the full exemption should still investigate whether they are eligible for existing partial exemptions that could reduce their property tax bills.
RELATED
New Rochelle BOE Exempts Disabled Veterans From School Taxes (10/8/2026)
Westchester County Approves Tax Relief for Veterans and Surviving Spouses (9/30/2026)
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
Have information about this story? Email robertcox@talkofthesound.com (preferred) or contact via WhatsApp: +353 089 972 0669.
Discover more from Talk of the Sound
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.