[Adopted 8-12-2008 by L.L. No. 1-2008]
A. 
The purpose of this article is to establish a real property tax exemption for Cold War veterans. A Cold War veteran is one who served in the United States Armed Forces during the time period commencing on September 2, 1945, and ending on December 26, 1991. The further intended purpose of this article is to extend real estate tax exemptions to these peacetime service men and women.
B. 
The cost of the volunteer property tax deductions shall be charged back to the Village as a whole.
An exemption from taxation of 15% of the assessed value of property owned by an eligible person, as set forth below, is hereby granted with respect to Village taxes. This exemption shall not exceed the ceiling limits imposed by Real Property Tax Law § 458-b(2)(a) and (b), as may be amended from time to time.
Such exemption shall be granted to veterans of the armed services who meet the eligibility requirements as set forth on forms provided by the Village Assessor, including, but not limited to, the following:
A. 
The applicant shall be an honorably discharged veteran for the period of eligibility prescribed by Real Property Tax Law § 458-b.
B. 
The applicant resides in the Village of Sleepy Hollow, which is his/her primary residence.
C. 
The property is the primary residence of the applicant.
D. 
The property is used exclusively for residential purposes; provided, however, that in the event that any portion of such property is not used exclusively for the applicant's residence, but is used for other purposes, such portion shall be subject to taxation and the remaining portion only shall be entitled to the exemption provided by this article.
E. 
Any additional criteria established pursuant to the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York as it may be amended from time to time.
A disabled veteran, as defined by the Real Property Law of the State of New York and covered by this period of eligibility, shall be granted an exemption equal to 1/2 of his/her service-connected disability rating, subject to the applicable ceiling limits.
Application for such exemption shall be filed with the Village Assessor on or before the taxable status date on a form prescribed by the State Board, along with verifying documentation.
Exemptions shall expire after 10 years. Disability exemptions shall expire on the cessation of the disability.
This article shall take effect upon filing with the Secretary of State and apply to the tax rolls for the Village year 2009/2010.