Senate Approves Addabbo Bill to Give Beverage Sales Tax Breaks to Veterans' Organizations

Howard Beach, NY (June 13, 2016) Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. today announced that legislation (S.2496) he sponsors to provide beverage sales tax exemptions to veterans’ service organizations has been approved by the New York State Senate.

“This bill is designed to assist veterans’ organizations that often operate on very tight budgets,” said Addabbo, who serves as the ranking member of the Veterans Committee. “Providing them with an exemption from sales taxes on the purchase and sale of beer, wine and soda could help them better balance their books, enjoy savings on routine purchases and continue to provide needed recreation, fellowship and varied services for veterans who visit their posts.”

The bill would apply to veterans’ service organizations chartered by the United States Congress, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, Catholic War Veterans, Jewish War Veterans and many others. 

“Veterans’ posts often purchase beverages to serve to members who visit on a regular basis, but they also buy beer, wine, or soda for various fundraisers they might hold to expand or keep their organizations running,” said Addabbo. “With all that our former military members have sacrificed for our country and for every one of us, this small tax break could have a big impact on helping veterans’ organizations continue to afford the costs of offering pertinent programming and simple opportunities for friendship and camaraderie for their members.”

Addabbo’s bill, which also passed the Senate last year, is now under review by the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means.