Commissioner Zach Rich introduces the 'Veterans You Earned It!' campaign. All #HunterdonCounty #veterans are eligible for a $250 tax deduction. Visit Hunterdon County Veterans Services for additional information.
Hunterdon County officials have kicked off an effort entitled the ‘Veterans, You Earned It!’ campaign that will tell all Veteran homeowners they are now eligible for the $250 Veterans Property Tax Deduction and make application forms available to the County’s Veterans.
Hunterdon County Board of County Commissioners Director Susan Soloway and Commissioner Zach Rich joined with County Clerk Mary Melfi and Sheriff Fred Brown, a U.S. Navy Veteran, to announce the start of the campaign, which will include distributing posters and flyers, enlisting the support of Veterans’ organizations to spread the word, and social media and other communication activities.
Soloway stated, “There are many Veteran homeowners who are now finally eligible for the property tax deduction and should submit an application. These Veterans have earned this benefit by their service to our nation, which is why we have dubbed this effort the You Earned It campaign.”
Commissioner Rich, who with Soloway serves as the Board’s Veterans liaison, said, “This property tax deduction is long overdue for so many of our Veterans. Those who were drafted in the 1950’s and served during the Cold War, and those who volunteered to serve after 1975, have been denied this benefit up to now. We want to make it as easy as possible for the Veterans to apply for the deduction because they have earned it.”
Hunterdon County Clerk Mary Melfi, whose office has been a key source of information and support for County Veterans for many years, noted, “In addition to all Veteran homeowners now being qualified for the deduction, surviving spouses of Veterans are also qualified. This is the right thing to do on so many levels and I am very happy that the voters agreed last year in approving the addition of all Veterans.”
County Sheriff Fred Brown, who served in the U.S. Navy during the 1970’s, added, “Many of those who are not presently receiving the deduction may not be aware they are now eligible. Getting the word out to those who have served is so important. While most people now say thank you for your service to Veterans, this is a truly tangible way to offer those thanks.”
The application form for the property tax deduction is available from the County’s Veteran Services Office by contacting VSO Richard Booth, rbooth@co.hunterdon.nj.us or calling 908 788-1361 or from the County Clerk’s Veterans webpage; www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/countyclerk.htm#veterans.
Applications must be submitted to a Veterans’ municipal tax assessor’s office.