Warren County supervisors enact tax deduction for first responders
Volunteer firefighters, ambulance staff can qualify
WARREN COUNTY, NY – Volunteer firefighters and rescue squad workers in Warren County will be eligible for a 10% exemption on their Warren County property taxes under a new law enacted Friday by the Warren County Board of Supervisors.
“Volunteer first responders are integral to the safety and well-being of their communities, and we are glad that we can put in place this deduction to thank them for the tireless work they do. They are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it has become increasingly difficult to recruit new members because of the time and training commitments. We hope this new benefit will help stabilize and increase our volunteer ranks,” said Kevin Geraghty, Warrensburg Supervisors and Chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously passed the property tax exemption local law on October 20, 2023. It creates the exemption on assessed value of a primary residence for volunteer first responders with at least two (2) years of service for the community where they reside while they are an active member.
In addition, those who have served 20 or more volunteer years with their community fire department or rescue squad can be eligible for a lifetime deduction. The spouse of a volunteer who is killed in the line of duty will be eligible for the exemption as well, with certain qualifications.
This change to county tax law was made possible after NY State Legislature passed a law in late 2022 that amended NY State Law to enable the exemption.
“Warren County Office of Emergency Services is part of the first responder community, and our staff sees the sacrifice our volunteer firefighters and rescue squad workers make day and night. We thank the Warren County Board of Supervisors for putting this exemption in place to show gratitude and help keep our volunteer agencies staffed,” said Ann Marie Mason, Warren County Director of Emergency Services.
Full text of the local law can be found here, and it takes effect upon filing with New York State.
Property owners apply for property tax exemptions through municipal assessor offices. Additional information related to applications for this deduction will be posted on the Warren County Real Property Tax Services website when finalized. Questions can be directed to Warren County Real Property Tax Services at 518-761-6464.
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