§ 65-16. Amount of exemption; additional exemption; Gold Star Parents., Article V. Alternative Veterans Exemption, Chapter 65. Taxation, Code of Ordinances, Brookhaven

Qualifying residential real property shall be exempt from taxation to the extent of 15% of the assessed value of such property; provided, however, that such exemption shall not exceed $54,000 or the product of $54,000 multiplied by the latest state equalization rate for the assessing unit or, in the case of a special assessing unit, the latest class ratio, whichever is less.

In addition to the exemption provided by Subsection A of this section, where the veterans served in a combat theatre or combat zone of operations, as documented by the award of a United States campaign ribbon or service medal, qualifying residential real property also shall be exempt from taxation to the extent of 10% of the assessed value of such property; provided, however, that such exemption shall not exceed $36,000 or the product of $36,000 multiplied by the latest state equalization rate for the assessing unit, or in the case of a special assessing unit, the class ratio, whichever is less.

In addition to the exemptions provided by Subsections A and B of this section, where the veteran received a compensation rating from the United States Veteran's Administration or from the United States Department of Defense because of a service-connected disability, qualifying residential real property shall be exempt from taxation to the extent of the product of the assessed value of such property multiplied by 50% of the veteran's disability rating; provided, however, that such exemption shall not exceed $180,000 or the product of $180,000 multiplied by the latest state equalization rate for the assessing unit or, in the case of a special assessing unit, the latest class ratio, whichever is less. For purposes of this subsection, where a person who served in the active military, naval or air service during a period of war died in service of a service-connected disability, such person shall be deemed to have been assigned a compensation rating of 100%.

Pursuant to Chapter 477 of the Laws of 1996, as amended August 20, 1997, and any amendments thereto, shall apply to tax years which begin after January 1, 1997.

Pursuant to Chapter 326 of the Laws of 2000, as amended August 23, 2000, a "Gold Star Parent" shall be included within the definition of a qualified owner pursuant to Real Property Tax Law § 458-a for purposes of entitlement to an alternative veterans exemption.