KINGSTON, NY – On Veterans Day, State Senator Michelle Hinchey announced that Governor Kathy Hochul has signed her legislation, S1788A, into law, helping lower housing costs for combat veterans across New York. The measure fixes an unfair gap in an existing 10% property tax exemption that has locked out some combat veterans from receiving it because of the nature of their service. The bill passed both houses of the legislature unanimously in the 2026 session and takes effect immediately.

New York State already offers a 10% property tax break to veterans who served in a combat zone, but to claim it, veterans had to prove the location of their service through a limited list of campaign ribbons or service medals. Before Hinchey’s law fixed the process, veterans who served on classified missions or aboard submarines often couldn’t provide that documentation because national security restrictions limited access to their records, which unjustly shut them out of a benefit they had both qualified for and earned. 

S1788A-Hinchey was inspired by a constituent in Ulster County, who brought the issue to Senator Hinchey’s attention. The legislation now broadens the types of documentation combat veterans may submit to receive this tax relief to ensure that those who have served on classified or submarine missions are rightfully able to apply for the exemption. Eligible proof of combat theater service now includes:
 

• A Department of Defense Form stating the service took place in a combat theater
• Any combat theater award recognized under federal law, rather than only those on the previous list
• Proof of receipt of Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Pay
• Proof of a federal combat income tax exemption
• Any other military service record approved by the NYS Tax Commissioner in consultation with the Department of Veterans’ Services
   

Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “I’m incredibly proud that our bill has been signed into law, so our veterans who have served on classified and submarine missions can now apply to receive the property tax relief they deserve. These veterans have put everything on the line for their country, and they should never face unnecessary barriers to the benefits that have been established to support them. I first heard about this issue from a constituent, and it was clear that we needed to fix this process and ensure these combat veterans could gain access to this exemption to help lower their housing costs. I thank Governor Hochul for signing our bill on Veterans Day.”

To apply, veterans can visit the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance website, fill out Form RP-458-a under the Alternative Veterans Exemption, and submit it to their local municipal assessor. 

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