As used in this article, the following definitions shall apply:
ACTIVE DUTY
Full-time duty in the United States Armed Forces.
ARMED FORCES
The United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and
Coast Guard.
COLD WAR VETERAN
A person who served on active duty in the United States Armed
Forces, at any time during the time period from September 2, 1945,
to December 26, 1991, and who discharged or released therefrom under
honorable conditions.
QUALIFIED OWNER
A Cold War veteran, the spouse of a Cold War veteran, or
the unmarried surviving spouse of a deceased Cold War veteran. Where
property is owned by more than one qualified owner, the exemption
to which each is entitled may be combined. Where a veteran is also
the unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran, such person may also
receive any exemption to which the deceased spouse was entitled.
QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY
Property owned by a qualified owner which is used exclusively
for residential purposes; provided however, that in the event that
any portion of such property is not used exclusively for residential
purposes, but is used for other purposes, such portion shall be subject
to taxation and the only remaining portion used exclusively for residential
purposes shall be subject to the exemption provided by this section.
Such property shall be the primary residence of the Cold War veteran
or the unremarried surviving spouse of a Cold War veteran; unless
the Cold War veteran or unremarried surviving spouse is absent from
the property due to medical reasons or being institutionalized for
up to five years.
SERVICE CONNECTED
With respect to disability or death, that such disability
was incurred or aggravated, or that the death resulted from a disability
incurred or aggravated, in line of duty on active military service.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing provisions
of this article, any exemption granted pursuant to this section shall
be effective and apply to properties affected by the taxable status
date next occurring at least 90 days following the adoption of this
article.
Application for exemption shall be made by the owner, or all
of the owners, of the property on a form prescribed by the state board. The owner or owners shall file the completed form in the
Assessor's office on or before the first appropriate taxable
status date. Applicants shall refile on or before the appropriate
taxable status date. Any applicant convicted of willfully making any
false statement in the application for such exemption shall be subject
to the penalties provided in the New York Penal Law.