The New Jersey 8th Legislative District delegation of Senator Dawn Marie Addiego, Assemblyman Joe Howarth, and Assemblyman Ryan Peters made a plea to the State Department of the Treasury for a public outreach campaign that would alert veterans of a new $3,000 tax exemption.

In a letter sent to Acting-Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio on Monday, Addiego, Peters, and Howarth urged the state to more effectively promote the Income Tax Exemption for Veterans, which is new for the 2017 tax year.

The exemption is available to all veterans who were honorably discharged from the United States Armed Force, regardless of their income status or any other benefits they collect. The tax break for veterans was championed by Addiego and Howarth.

“Providing the $3,000 tax exemption to the men and women who bravely served our country is a great first step, but we need to make sure every one of our veterans is aware of it and ultimately collects it,” Addiego said.

In the letter, the 8th District legislators asked the state to reach out to New Jersey residents to inform them about the exemption along with directions on how to get certified for it.

“As a veteran, I know all too well how difficult it can be to transition back into the world after sacrificing years of your life to your country,” said Peters, who served multiple combat duties overseas as a Navy SEAL. “The exemption is a resource that can make that transition a little less challenging, but it needs to be utilized.”

In recent weeks, Peters said he has heard from many veterans who are aware of the exemption, but are confused on how to go about collecting it.

“The lack of clarity is disheartening. I don’t want veterans to be discouraged from collecting the deduction because they aren’t sure how to navigate the process to do so,” Peters said.

In order to receive the Income Tax Exemption for Veterans, a veteran has to fill out a submission form on the New Jersey Division of Taxation website and send it in with their DD-214, or Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

Addiego, Peters and Howarth have instructed the 8th Legislative District Office to put together step-by-step directions on how to collect the benefit that will be distributed online and through social media and email in the coming weeks in order to reach as many veterans as possible.

“We hope to make a push leading up to tax season to inform as many veterans as we can of the new exemption that is available to them,” Howarth said. “Still, we’re just one of 40 districts. In order to reach all of the men and women who were honorably discharged from the Armed Forces, there needs to a more concerted effort from the state.”