Veteran Exemption

Veteran Benefits 

Veterans’ Services announces the deadline for the veterans’ exemptions eligibility. Any person having served anywhere after August 2, 1990, for 90 days or more of active service and has been honorably discharged or is a member of the military who is currently serving honorably, are now eligible for a veteran exemption. Members who are actively serving should contact the Bristol Assessor’s Office at (860) 584-6240 for details concerning needed documentation. Veterans discharged after August 2, 1990, and who previously filed their DD214, must contact the Bristol Assessor’s Office in order to activate this exemption.

City of Bristol resolution passed at the February 10, 2026 City Council Meeting stating:

1. Effective 10/01/2025 in lieu of any exemptions prescribed under subdivision (20)  section 12-81 of the general statutes any resident of the City of Bristol who has served in the armed services and has been determined by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to have a service connected total disability based upon individual unemployability, shall be entitled to the exemption provided by section 240 of PA 25-168, as may be amended from time to time.”

Therefore, you may be entitled now to receive the dwelling assessment exemption in full or in part on your Grand List Real Estate bill or a full assessment exemption on your Grand List motor vehicle bill, whichever is applicable.

In order to receive this exemption, please complete the State D-2 Form and return it to our office along with a current dated VA benefit letter. Application (D-2) here. Version Options Veteran Exemption Headline

Once received, we will make the adjustment to your upcoming JULY tax account.

This is an annual form that must be completed to receive this exemption. Going forward, we will mail this form to you every November requesting an updated VA letter and signed D-2 form prior to January 1^st to receive the benefit on the next Grand List.

2. Effective 10/1/2024 Per Section 233(83)(F) of Public Act 25-168, the surviving spouse of any resident of this state who (i) had served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force or Space Force of the United States, (ii) had been determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to be permanently and totally disabled based on a service connected disability rating of one hundred per cent, and (iii) dies prior to October 1, 2024, but after January 1, 1941.

3. Effective 10/1/2025 Per Section 241 of Public Act 25-168, the surviving spouse of any resident of this state who was a person killed in action while performing active military duty with the armed forces, as defined in section (a) of section 27-103 of the general statutes.

4. Effective 10/1/2025 Any parent whose child was killed in action, or the surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action, while performing active military duty with the armed forces as defined by statute, provided such parent or spouse is a resident of Bristol, shall be entitled to an exemption pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 12-81ii.

Active duty Veteran exemptions:

As of July 1, 2008, any active member of the armed forces is entitled to the full exemption of one motor vehicle, regardless of the location of his or her vehicle. The definition of armed forces is the Unites States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, Space Force, and any reserve component thereof, including the Connecticut National Guard performing duty. Click the following links for the appropriate application.

• CT Resident Active-Duty Exemption Application
• CT Nonresident Federal Soldier and Sailors Relief Act Application

Active-duty exemption application must be processed prior to December 31st of the year, following the original billing date. Example- 2025 Grand list bill, application must be received prior to 12/31/26. 

Note: Effective October 1, 2009, the dates for Operation Earnest Will have been changed to the period of July 24, 1987, to August 1, 1990.

Discharge Paper Requirements

Veterans who may be entitled to a tax exemption must have their DD214 discharge papers on file with the City Clerk’s Office on or before September 30 to receive an exemption for the October 1st annual grand list. Veterans who have previously recorded their discharge papers and are already receiving an exemption do not need to re-file.

Additionally, any veteran who has recently been honorably discharged, or moved to Bristol, and has 90 days or more of wartime service, must record their DD214 discharge papers with the City Clerk’s Office and bring a copy of the City Clerk recorded DD214 to the Assessor’s Office on or before September 30.

Additional Benefits

Veterans or their surviving spouse with an income less than (Single $46,300, Married $56,500) may qualify for additional benefits. Qualifying income means total gross income as determined for the purpose of the Federal Income Tax, plus Social Security and any other income not included in such adjusted gross income. Application for the additional veteran exemption must be completed at the Assessor’s Office no later than October 1, 2026.

Spouses of deceased veterans, who have not remarried, are also eligible for the same exemption for which the veteran was qualified.

Click here Version Options Veteran Exemption Headline for a printable information sheet.

• Additional Veteran Exemption Application
• 100% permanent and totally disabled Veteran application

 Disabled Veterans 

Connecticut disabled veterans who receive eligibility notices directly from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may be entitled to property tax assessment exemptions ranging from $2,250 to $4,500 for service-related disabilities depending upon disability rating. In order to receive this exemption, the veteran must file Form 20-5455 with the Assessor’s Office prior to the Board of Assessment Appeals completion of duties.

New legislation only requires the disabled veteran to file the initial Form 20-5455 to activate any applicable exemptions. It is no longer required to be filed every year, except in the event that the disability rating changes. Disabled veterans who have reached the age of 65 should notify their local Assessor’s Office of their date of birth.

CGS12-81 (83) PA-24-46 As of October 1st, 2024 A dwelling, including a condominium, owned by any resident of the state who has served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force or Space Force of the United States and has a service-connected permanent and total disability with a rating of one hundred percent occupied by such resident as the residents primary residence, may be exempt. If lacking such residence, one motor vehicle owned by such resident garaged in this State can be exempt. 

Each Veteran must provide assessment staff with the following by January 1st annually:

• Veteran's annual official record of VA entitlement 
• Application (D-2) here      

More Information

Veterans in need of a Tax Exemption Notice from the VA may call the Newington Regional Office at (800) 827-1000 for a replacement form. For further information, call the Bristol Assessor's office at (860) 584-6240.