25 Nov Do I qualify for these veteran tax breaks?

Q. I served six months active duty in the Army and three years in the N.J. National Guard between June 1957 and January 1961. I am honorably discharged with a copy of my DD-214. Do I qualify for the N.J. veterans income tax exemption recently and do I qualify for the $250 real estate tax credit for the city of Brigantine? If so, how do I process my claims?
— Trying to save

A. Thank you for your service.

Based on the information you provided, yes, it appears you qualify for the income tax exemption.

You must apply in order to claim this on your tax return, said Mary Ford, a certified public accountant and tax director with Sobel and Co. in Livingston.

She said you only need to apply once and then you qualify for all future years.

“To apply you must complete the NJ Veteran Income Tax Exemption Submission Form and you must attach your honorable discharge form DD-214,” Ford said.

You can certify for the exemption by sending your documentation to the state before you file your return. You can upload your documents, mail it in or fax it.

You will then receive a letter confirming your eligibility. Letters will be sent in January the first year you meet the qualifications.

Now on the $250 property tax credit.

To qualify, you must be an honorably discharged veteran with active wartime service.

File New Jersey Form V.S.S. and all documentary proofs with your local assessor or tax collector, Ford said.

If you served in Peacekeeping Missions and Operations, you must also file a Supplemental Form, she said.

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This story was originally published on Nov. 25, 2019.

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