What's happening
This bill allows school districts to cap school property tax rates for seniors aged 70+ who qualify for the enhanced STAR exemption, with districts reimbursed for costs.
Why it matters
Offers financial relief to seniors on fixed incomes. by potentially preventing further increases in school property taxes for homeowners aged 70+ who already qualify for the enhanced STAR exemption, helping them better manage housing costs as they age.
Empowers local school districts with flexibility. to decide whether to adopt the tax rate cap after a public hearing, meaning the benefit is not automatic but subject to local needs and input, potentially leading to variability in tax policy across the state.
Requires annual application and proof of eligibility. , making it important for seniors to stay informed and proactive each year to maintain their capped rate, and for districts to provide clear notification and guidance about the process.
Ensures school funding stability by reimbursing districts. for the full cost of lost revenue resulting from the tax cap, which protects schools from budget shortfalls while still supporting senior homeowners, but may increase state-level education spending.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Cap School Taxes for Seniors
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to real property taxation
- Referred to real property taxation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Cap School Taxes for Seniors
In Assembly Committee · Real Property Taxation · Sponsor Kenneth P. LaValle
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 3195 A. 2533
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
January 20, 2017
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sens. LAVALLE, GALLIVAN, MURPHY, RITCHIE, SERINO, SEWARD, YOUNG -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Aging
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT, MONTESANO, BENEDETTO, ABBATE, PAULIN -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. GUNTHER, LUPARDO, MAGEE, McDONOUGH, RA, RAIA, RAMOS, THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Real Property Taxation
AN ACT to amend the real property tax law, in relation to establishing a capped real property school tax rate for persons seventy years of age or older who meet the eligibility requirements for the enhanced STAR exemption
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The real property tax law is amended by adding a new section 431 to read as follows:
§ 431. Persons seventy years of age or over; capped real property school tax rate. 1. (a) Residential real property owned and occupied by one or more persons, each of whom is seventy years of age or over and meets each of the requirements for the enhanced exemption for senior citizens set forth in section four hundred twenty-five of this article, or residential real property owned and occupied by husband and wife, one of whom is seventy years of age or over and meets each of the requirements for the enhanced exemption for senior citizens set forth in section four hundred twenty-five of this article, shall be eligible for the capped real property school tax rate set forth in this section, provided the school district, after public hearing, adopts a resolution providing therefor.
(b) For purposes of this section, the term "capped real property school tax rate" shall mean the lower of:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03170-01-7
S. 3195 2 A. 2533
(i) the real property school tax rate established on the taxable status date next succeeding the date on which an eligible person attains the age of seventy years; or
(ii) the real property school tax rate established on any taxable status date subsequent to the date on which an eligible person attains the age of seventy years, which is lower than the real property school tax rate established pursuant to subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.
(c) The capped real property school tax rate shall be determined annually for each eligible person seventy years of age or older in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision.
2. Any person eligible for the capped real property school tax rate shall apply annually for such capped rate. Such application shall be made in a manner and form determined by the state board and shall require proof of the applicant's age. Such application shall be filed with the local assessor on or before the taxable status date for such district.
3. Every school district shall notify, or cause to be notified, each person owning residential real property in the school district of the provisions of this section. The provisions of this subdivision may be met by a notice sent to such persons in substantially the following form: "Residential real property owned by persons seventy years of age or older may be eligible for a capped real property school tax rate. To receive such capped rate, eligible owners of qualifying property must file an application with their local assessor on or before the applicable taxable status date. For further information, please contact your local assessor."
4. A school district which provides a capped real property school tax rate for persons seventy years of age or over pursuant to this section shall be eligible for reimbursement by the department of education, as approved by the commissioner of education, in consultation with the commissioner of taxation and finance, for one hundred percent of the direct cost to such school district resulting from the implementation of this section. Such direct cost shall be calculated pursuant to regulations of the commissioner of education, in consultation with the commissioner of taxation and finance. A claim for such reimbursement shall be made by such school district in a manner and form prescribed by the commissioner of education.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law and shall apply to assessment rolls prepared on the basis of taxable status dates occurring on or after such date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.