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We have been planning on relocating to Suffolk County from a southern state to get closer with family, and would like advices on property tax exemptions, specifically for military veterans should we decide to buy real estate as primary residence. Even though, we were able to gather some of the useful information from the state and/or local government websites regarding different type of veteran exemptions options, but in terms of realistic and details, we will need help from the forum.
Our understanding so far is that a large portion of the real estate property taxes go into the local school and/or special district, and it seems the districts may choose to opt in (appreciative), a percentage or a dollar amount they would offer to exempt, and of course, many chose no to (understood and respective).
Is there any town, village, school district or even zip code that you know or familiar with, is offering larger proportional veteran exemptions?
Thank you for reply, and yes we have. However, each school districts and special districts made their own determinations on whether they want to participate to the veteran exemption programs and how much they willing to exempt.
Suffolk County has ten different Towns (colloquially referred to as "Townships"):
Babylon, Brookhaven, East Hampton, Huntington, Islip, Riverhead (County seat), Shelter Island, Smithtown, Southampton and Southold.
Each Town has several Hamlets. Some also have incorporated Villages, which come with additional real estate taxes.
Because each Town is its own taxing authority, Veterans exemptions vary from Town to Town (and of course by the type of Veteran)
If the highest exemption is your preference, you'll have to look into each one and then see if you like the location, etc. and what the affordability is.
As you correctly noted, the largest exemption is the STAR program (School TAx Relief). That amount can vary greatly, and you might want to look at the combination of the two in order to see which better suits you financially.
Suffolk County has ten different Towns (colloquially referred to as "Townships"):
Babylon, Brookhaven, East Hampton, Huntington, Islip, Riverhead (County seat), Shelter Island, Smithtown, Southampton and Southold.
Each Town has several Hamlets. Some also have incorporated Villages, which come with additional real estate taxes.
Because each Town is its own taxing authority, Veterans exemptions vary from Town to Town (and of course by the type of Veteran)
If the highest exemption is your preference, you'll have to look into each one and then see if you like the location, etc. and what the affordability is.
As you correctly noted, the largest exemption is the STAR program (School TAx Relief). That amount can vary greatly, and you might want to look at the combination of the two in order to see which better suits you financially.
Thank you on the clarifications on the townships and the hamlets, it was confusingly enough for folks from outside the area to even correctly describe the relationships.
I see that you are a real estate agent, is there such a place anywhere in the county, by your professional experience would you suggest for a comparably lower overall property taxes, a minimum 0.5 acre lot, with a budget of 1m.
Thank you on the clarifications on the townships and the hamlets, it was confusingly enough for folks from outside the area to even correctly describe the relationships.
I see that you are a real estate agent, is there such a place anywhere in the county, by your professional experience would you suggest for a comparably lower overall property taxes, a minimum 0.5 acre lot, with a budget of 1m.
Thank you on the clarifications on the townships and the hamlets, it was confusingly enough for folks from outside the area to even correctly describe the relationships.
I see that you are a real estate agent, is there such a place anywhere in the county, by your professional experience would you suggest for a comparably lower overall property taxes, a minimum 0.5 acre lot, with a budget of 1m.
The question is, what's most important: price and size of property, or low taxes.
Given price and size of property, the Town of Smithtown has several Hamlets which could fit those parameters with some inventory to chose from; other areas may have one or two that fit, which may not be enough of a selection for you.
Older homes can have lower taxes if no major alterations were done to the home--there are a lot of variables. And of course the style of the home you might prefer can limit locations.
The question is, what's most important: price and size of property, or low taxes.
Given price and size of property, the Town of Smithtown has several Hamlets which could fit those parameters with some inventory to chose from; other areas may have one or two that fit, which may not be enough of a selection for you.
Older homes can have lower taxes if no major alterations were done to the home--there are a lot of variables. And of course the style of the home you might prefer can limit locations.
Not sure this helps
Thanks for chipping in with suggestions. We are looking for a 4+ beds, ideally two story, and 2 car garage (never seem so many houses with a single car garage, even newer constructions, might this be a Long Island thing?)
Smithtown is very nice, and I've put this onto our bucket list. We'd also see some of the nice houses with decent size lots in Shoreham WadingRiver school district as well. Is this some place you would recommend?
BTW, you and I both registered the city-data account in the same year lol
Last edited by NYrangers; 10-03-2023 at 06:02 PM..
Reason: add
Thanks for chipping in with suggestions. We are looking for a 4+ beds, ideally two story, and 2 car garage (never seem so many houses with a single car garage, even newer constructions, might this be a Long Island thing?)
Smithtown is very nice, and I've put this onto our bucket list. We'd also see some of the nice houses with decent size lots in Shoreham WadingRiver school district as well. Is this some place you would recommend?
BTW, you and I both registered the city-data account in the same year lol
Nope not many 2 car garages here at all. They exist (I have one) but are pretty rare, also people rarely park their cars in garages here, they are used for storage by most.
Nope not many 2 car garages here at all. They exist (I have one) but are pretty rare, also people rarely park their cars in garages here, they are used for storage by most.
That's interesting. Where we live, pretty much all the newer constructions are within some sort of HOAs, and most of the rules are strictly forced. We park our vehicles inside the garage, or obtained a fee based parking permit should we want our vehicles to be parked over night on the street. Is HOA a common thing in Suffolk? If they are, how much do people normally pay for the monthly due?
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