The Vietnam Veterans of America’s Williamsburg chapter is exempt from paying James City County taxes after a decision Tuesday night.
Chapter 957 of the veterans’ organization was granted tax exemption status by the James City County Board of Supervisors, a decision that will take about $60 off the county’s annual tax rolls.
The organization was eligible for real estate and personal property tax exemption under a state law that allows localities to grant exemption to certain charitable organizations. VVA957, which comprises unpaid volunteers, does not currently own any property in the county.
Any future property the organization purchases will be tax exempt, County Attorney Leo Rogers said.
The supervisors put the decision to a public hearing Tuesday, and one person spoke in favor of the request.
James City resident Ed Oyer, who has provided the supervisors bimonthly updates on military deployments and soldiers killed in the line of duty during public comment periods, said veterans are “fighting an uphill battle every cotton-picking day.”
“We need to do this,” Oyer said. “There isn’t any question in my military mind whatsoever.”
With no discussion, the supervisors voted 5-0 to award the VVA957 tax exemption status. The organization is one of 17 similar nonprofits – including two Veterans of Foreign Wars posts – to be granted real estate tax exemption.
A state law since 2003 has allowed localities to grant tax exemption to nonprofit organizations that use “property for religious, charitable, patriotic, historical, benevolent, cultural or public park and playground purposes.” Each organization granted exemption constitutes a separate ordinance.
The law sets out eight considerations localities should examine before deciding to grant tax exemption, which cover organization activities, federal tax exemption and employee compensation.
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