WALL TOWNSHIP — The Wall Township Committee recently adopted an ordinance to amend property tax exemptions for disabled veterans, and it also introduced an ordinance bringing the township’s fire code up to new state standards.
The veterans measure, adopted at the committee meeting, adds a section for 100% disabled veterans, allowing for property tax exemptions to be enacted from the date the qualifying individual files with the township tax assessor.
A qualifying veteran and/or surviving spouse/civil union or domestic partner must submit the appropriate claim to the township tax assessor for a property tax exemption on their primary dwelling, and the exemption will apply prospectively from the date of the filed claim, according to the amended code.
The ordinance explains that the township believes that amendments to the existing sections relating to veterans’ benefits were necessary to memorialize the township’s desire to capture that qualifying veterans and/or surviving spouses are entitled to a property tax exemption, effective the year the qualified individual files with the township.
Anyone filing for the tax exemption as a 100% totally and permanently disabled veteran from a service-related injury must fill out the appropriate form, according to wallnj.gov. Along with that form, qualifying individuals will be required to provide the township tax assessor office with a letter from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) in Newark attesting to a 100% total and permanent service related disability during applicable service dates. This letter must include a raised seal provided by the VA office, and there are no exceptions. For further information on this or any veteran benefits, parties can contact the Veterans Office in Newark at 800-827-1000.
The qualifying person will be entitled only to a refund and/or credit for the year in which their claim for tax exemption is submitted. For example, if a qualifying veteran is a resident of Wall Township for five years prior to submitting the appropriate claim for tax exemptions, they will only receive a credit and/or refund for the year in which they submit their claim and would receive the exemption prospectively, according to the amending ordinance.
The township code already includes veterans’ exemptions from payment of certain fees, including township fees for marriage licenses, dog licenses, fees for recreation activities including a discount of 50% for the spouse and children of the veteran, fees for training programs, certificate of occupancy fees, the township portion of fees relating to construction department fees for the veteran’s primary owned residence and land use permit fees for the primary owned residence.
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