Click: QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What’s happening?
The West Irondequoit CSD Board of Education will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 at Listwood Elementary School, 325 List Ave. The board is investigating the Veterans’ Tax Exemption. By law, the board must hold a public hearing, then inform the Town of Irondequoit prior to March 1, 2025 if it will offer the tax exemption.
What is the Veterans’ Tax Exemption (VTE)?
The VTE gives school districts the option to apply the VTE to school property taxes. It reduces the assessed value of a qualifying individual’s private, primary residence before the tax rate is applied. A veteran, spouse of the veteran, or the unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran may apply for the exemption. Whenever properties are exempt, there is a cost shift to non-exempt property owners. There are currently 845 exemptions in West Irondequoit that already receive an VTE from town property taxes.
How You Can Be Heard
To speak at the hearing, you must sign up at Listwood starting at 4:45 p.m. Speakers are limited to three minutes (first come, first serve basis). Please see the schedule below.
- 4:45 – 5:15 PM: Sign up to speak
- 5:15 - 5:30 PM: Informational presentation
- 5:30 – 6:30 PM: Public Hearing
What would it mean for non-veterans?
If adopted by WICSD, the VTE would mean a school property tax increase for non-exempt residents due to the shifted tax distribution. Based on current assessment and exemption data from the Town Assessor’s office, the estimated financial impact would be:
- $803,964 of the tax levy would shift from exempted properties to non-exempt
- Tax rate would increase by 8.6 cents/$1,000 assessed property value to compensate
- Example: $200,000 property value would pay $17.38 more in taxes (per year)
What is a Veteran?
A qualifying veteran is generally one who served during a “period of war:” WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf (1990-current). There are three Veteran Exemption categories:
- War (15%): $12,000 maximum exemption
- Combat (10%): $8,000 (additional)
- Disabled (up to 50%): $40,000 (additional)
Questions: Email District Clerk Jenna Lustig at jenna_lustig@westiron.monroe.edu