Bateman Bill Expanding Veterans’ Property Tax Break Clears Senate

Senator Kip Bateman’s legislation to expand property tax benefits to all veterans who were honorably discharged and to those with a service-connected disability has unanimously passed the New Jersey Senate.

“Everyone who has served our nation and worn our country’s uniform should be respected and recognized as such,” said Senator Bateman (R-16). “Our brave veterans who sacrificed life and limb to defend our freedoms we hold dear deserve to receive a tax break. Expanding New Jersey’s property tax deduction to our Garden State veterans who honorably served is our small way of saying ‘thank you for your service.’”

Bateman’s bill, S-2599, would make honorably discharged military veterans who did not serve during time of war or other emergency eligible for the $250 property tax deduction. Under this legislation, veterans with a service-connected disability would be eligible for a property tax exemption granted by law.

Currently, these property tax benefits are given only to honorably discharged military veterans who served during time of war or other emergency.

This bill will not go into effect until voters approve its authorizing resolution, SCR-187, as a constitutional amendment on the ballot.

NJ has more than 400,000 veterans, roughly five percent of NJ’s population. According to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, 180,000 veterans and their widows currently receive the annual $250 tax break, and about 10,000 disabled veterans receive the property tax exemption.