Bronx Veteran Awaits City Council Vote on Full Property Tax Exemption
State law permits localities to waive taxes for disabled veterans, but New York City has not yet adopted the measure for its five boroughs.
By Naomi Tesfaye ·
New York City has not yet granted disabled veterans a full property tax exemption, leaving residents in the five boroughs waiting on a local vote. The state authorized the benefit in December 2025, but adoption remains a decision for each municipality. As of November 1, the proposal to apply the exemption citywide is still pending in the City Council.
Council Member Frank Morano introduced Introduction 1051 on September 10 to extend the tax relief to all boroughs. The bill would exempt the primary residences of qualifying veterans from 100% of covered property taxes. It would also remove certain additional assessments from the tax bill for those who meet state criteria.
The Veterans and General Welfare committees held a joint hearing on the bill on October 21. Lawmakers did not vote on the measure during that session. The legislation currently sits in committee without a scheduled date for a floor vote. This procedural status means Bronx veterans cannot yet access the full waiver, even though the state law permits it.
James Kenny, a combat veteran living in the Bronx, is permanently and totally disabled due to his military service. He holds the documentation required by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to qualify for the exemption. Kenny noted that other localities in the state may have already adopted the rule, creating a disparity based on residency.
Kenny questioned why the benefit varies by location. He stated that veterans should be exempt everywhere in New York State if the law says so. He added that the current system depends on local political will rather than a uniform standard for service members.
New York City already provides partial property tax reductions to eligible veterans. Some residents receive extra breaks based on combat service or service-connected disabilities. The new bill would eliminate covered taxes entirely for those who qualify, going beyond the current partial relief. The state Department of Taxation and Finance indicates the exemption could apply to assessment rolls with taxable status dates beginning October 1 in communities that approve it.
Homeowners would need to apply and submit required documents if the City Council passes the bill. Kenny said the issue carries weight as Veterans Day approaches on November 11. He argued that honoring veterans requires providing the support and benefits they earned through their service.
