What's happening
This bill gradually increases the maximum income eligibility levels for seniors to qualify for real property tax exemptions in New York.
Why it matters
Expanded eligibility over time. The bill phases in higher income thresholds year by year from 2019 through 2022, allowing more seniors to qualify for property tax exemptions as their incomes rise—helping those at or just above the old limits who may still struggle with housing costs.
Graduated exemption levels. It introduces a detailed sliding scale, so seniors with slightly higher incomes receive smaller exemptions, rather than being entirely disqualified once they pass a threshold. This softens the “cliff effect” and provides a more equitable benefit structure.
Local government flexibility. Municipalities are empowered to adopt or amend local laws or ordinances to match these new, higher income brackets, so communities can tailor the exemption program to local economic conditions and needs.
Potential fiscal and housing impact. By enabling more seniors to access partial or full property tax exemptions, the bill could help older adults remain in their homes longer. However, it may also affect municipal tax revenues, potentially shifting the tax burden or requiring budget adjustments.
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Who cares
Senior homeowners
The bill would let municipalities extend partial property tax exemptions to seniors with higher incomes, with expanded income bands phased in from July 2019 through July 2022.
Municipal governing boards
The bill would give them the option to adopt or amend local laws, ordinances or resolutions to offer the expanded exemptions.
Local property tax assessors
Where municipalities adopt the changes, assessors would apply revised income bands for exemptions ranging from 5% to 45% of assessed value.
Headline styles
Expand Senior Tax Exemptions
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to aging
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.375
- Referred to aging
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.
Raise Tax Breaks for Seniors
In Assembly Committee · Aging · Sponsor Donna Lupardo
Full text
5 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
237
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sens. GOLDEN, YOUNG -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Aging
AN ACT to amend the real property tax law, in relation to increasing maximum income eligibility levels for real property tax exemptions for seniors
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph 1 of paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 of section 467 of the real property tax law, as amended by chapter 261 of the laws of 1994, is amended to read as follows:
(1) [Any] Prior to July first, two thousand nineteen, any local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision may be amended, or a local law, ordinance or resolution may be adopted, to provide an exemption so as to increase the maximum income eligibility level of such municipal corporation as provided in subdivision three of this section (represented in the hereinbelow schedule as M), to the extent provided in the following schedule:
ANNUAL INCOME PERCENTAGE ASSESSED VALUATION
EXEMPT FROM TAXATION
More than (M) but
less than (M+ $1,000) 45 per centum (M+ $1,000 or more) but
less than (M+ $2,000) 40 per centum (M+ $2,000 or more) but
less than (M+ $3,000) 35 per centum (M+ $3,000 or more) but
less than (M+ $3,900) 30 per centum (M+ $3,900 or more) but
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03631-01-7
S. 237 2
less than (M+ $4,800) 25 per centum (M+ $4,800 or more) but
less than (M+ $5,700) 20 per centum
§ 2. Paragraphs (c) and (d) of subdivision 1 of section 467 of the real property tax law are relettered paragraphs (g) and (h) and four new paragraphs (c), (d), (e) and (f) are added to read as follows:
(c) On and after July first, two thousand nineteen and before July first, two thousand twenty, (1) Any local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision may be amended, or a local law, ordinance or resolution may be adopted, to provide an exemption so as to increase the maximum income eligibility level of such municipal corporation as provided in subdivision three of this section (represented in the hereinbelow schedule as M), to the extent provided in the following schedule: ANNUAL INCOME PERCENTAGE ASSESSED VALUATION
EXEMPT FROM TAXATION More than (M) but less than (M+ $1,250) 45 per centum (M+ $1,250 or more) but less than (M+ $2,500) 40 per centum (M+ $2,500 or more) but less than (M+ $3,750) 35 per centum (M+ $3,750 or more) but less than (M+ $4,875) 30 per centum (M+ $4,875 or more) but less than (M+ $6,000) 25 per centum (M+ $6,000 or more) but less than (M+ $7,125) 20 per centum
(2) Any local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to subparagraph one of this paragraph may be amended, or a local law, ordinance or resolution may be adopted, to provide an exemption so as to increase the maximum income eligibility level of such municipal corporation as provided in subdivision three of this section (represented in the hereinbelow schedule as M), and as increased as provided for in such subparagraph one to the extent provided in the following schedule:
ANNUAL INCOME PERCENTAGE ASSESSED VALUATION
EXEMPT FROM TAXATION
(M+ $7,125 or more) but less than (M+ $8,250) 15 per centum (M+ $8,250 or more) but less than (M+ $9,375) 10 per centum
(3) Any local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to subparagraphs one and two of this paragraph may be amended, or a local law, ordinance or resolution may be adopted, to provide an exemption so as to increase the maximum income eligibility level of such municipal corporation as provided in subdivision three of this section (represented in the hereinbelow schedule as M), and as increased as provided for in such subparagraph one to the extent provided in the following schedule:
ANNUAL INCOME PERCENTAGE ASSESSED VALUATION
EXEMPT FROM TAXATION
S. 237 3
(M+ $9,375 or more) but less than (M+ $10,500) 5 per centum
(d) On and after July first, two thousand twenty and before July first, two thousand twenty-one, (1) Any local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision may be amended, or a local law, ordinance or resolution may be adopted, to provide an exemption so as to increase the maximum income eligibility level of such municipal corporation as provided in subdivision three of this section (represented in the hereinbelow schedule as M), to the extent provided in the following schedule:
ANNUAL INCOME PERCENTAGE ASSESSED VALUATION
EXEMPT FROM TAXATION
More than (M) but 45 per centum less than (M+ $1,500) (M+ $1,500 or more) but 40 per centum less than (M+ $3,000) (M+ $3,000 or more) but less than (M+ $4,500) 35 per centum (M+ $4,500 or more) but less than (M+ $5,850) 30 per centum (M+ $5,850 or more) but less than (M+ $7,200) 25 per centum (M+ $7,200 or more) but less than (M+ $8,550) 20 per centum
(2) Any local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to subparagraph one of this paragraph may be amended, or a local law, ordinance or resolution may be adopted, to provide an exemption so as to increase the maximum income eligibility level of such municipal corporation as provided in subdivision three of this section (represented in the hereinbelow schedule as M), and as increased as provided for in such subparagraph one to the extent provided in the following schedule:
ANNUAL INCOME PERCENTAGE ASSESSED VALUATION
EXEMPT FROM TAXATION (M+ $8,550 or more) but less than (M+ $9,900) 15 per centum (M+ $9,900 or more) but less than (M+ $11,250) 10 per centum
(3) Any local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to subparagraphs one and two of this paragraph may be amended, or a local law, ordinance or resolution may be adopted to provide an exemption so as to increase the maximum income eligibility level of such municipal corporation as provided in subdivision three of this section (represented in the hereinbelow schedule as M), and as increased as provided for in such subparagraph one to the extent provided in the following schedule: ANNUAL INCOME PERCENTAGE ASSESSED VALUATION
EXEMPT FROM TAXATION
(M+ $11,250 or more) but less than (M+ $12,600) 5 per centum
S. 237 4
(e) On and after July first, two thousand twenty-one and before July first, two thousand twenty-two, (1) Any local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision may be amended, or a local law, ordinance or resolution may be adopted, to provide an exemption so as to increase the maximum income eligibility level of such municipal corporation as provided in subdivision three of this section (represented in the hereinbelow schedule as M), to the extent provided in the following schedule:
ANNUAL INCOME PERCENTAGE ASSESSED VALUATION
EXEMPT FROM TAXATION More than (M) but less than (M+ $1,750) 45 per centum
(M+ $1,750 or more) but less than (M+ $3,500) 40 per centum
(M+ $3,500 or more) but less than (M+ $5,250) 35 per centum
(M+ $5,250 or more) but less than (M+ $6,825) 30 per centum
(M+ $6,825 or more) but less than (M+ $8,400) 25 per centum
(M+ $8,400 or more) but less than (M+ $9,975) 20 per centum
(2) Any local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to subparagraph one of this paragraph may be amended, or a local law, ordinance or resolution may be adopted, to provide an exemption so as to increase the maximum income eligibility level of such municipal corporation as provided in subdivision three of this section (represented in the hereinbelow schedule as M), and as increased as provided for in such subparagraph one to the extent provided in the following schedule:
ANNUAL INCOME PERCENTAGE ASSESSED VALUATION
EXEMPT FROM TAXATION (M+ $9,975 or more) but less than (M+ $11,550) 15 per centum (M+ $11,550 or more) but less than (M+ $13,125) 10 per centum
(3) Any local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to subparagraphs one and two of this paragraph may be amended, or a local law, ordinance or resolution may be adopted, to provide an exemption so as to increase the maximum income eligibility level of such municipal corporation as provided in subdivision three of this section (represented in the hereinbelow schedule as M), and as increased as provided for in such subparagraph one to the extent provided in the following schedule:
ANNUAL INCOME PERCENTAGE ASSESSED VALUATION
EXEMPT FROM TAXATION (M+ $13,125 or more) but less than (M+ $14,700) 5 per centum
S. 237 5
(f) On and after July first, two thousand twenty-two, (1) Any local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision may be amended, or a local law, ordinance or resolution may be adopted, to provide an exemption so as to increase the maximum income eligibility level of such municipal corporation as provided in subdivision three of this section (represented in the hereinbelow schedule as M), to the extent provided in the following schedule: ANNUAL INCOME PERCENTAGE ASSESSED VALUATION
EXEMPT FROM TAXATION More than (M) but less than (M+ $2,000) 45 per centum (M+ $2,000 or more) but less than (M+ $4,000) 40 per centum (M+ $4,000 or more) but less than (M+ $6,000) 35 per centum (M+ $6,000 or more) but less than (M+ $7,800) 30 per centum (M+ $7,800 or more) but less than (M+ $9,600) 25 per centum (M+ $9,600 or more) but less than (M+ $11,400) 20 per centum
(2) Any local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to subparagraph one of this paragraph may be amended, or a local law, ordinance or resolution may be adopted, to provide an exemption so as to increase the maximum income eligibility level of such municipal corporation as provided in subdivision three of this section (represented in the hereinbelow schedule as M), and as increased as provided for in such subparagraph one to the extent provided in the following schedule:
ANNUAL INCOME PERCENTAGE ASSESSED VALUATION
EXEMPT FROM TAXATION (M+ $11,400 or more) but less than (M+ $13,200) 15 per centum (M+ $13,200 or more) but less than (M+ $15,000) 10 per centum
(3) Any local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to subparagraphs one and two of this paragraph may be amended, or a local law, ordinance or resolution may be adopted, to provide an exemption so as to increase the maximum income eligibility level of such municipal corporation as provided in subdivision three of this section (represented in the hereinbelow schedule as M), and as increased as provided for in such subparagraph one to the extent provided in the following schedule:
ANNUAL INCOME PERCENTAGE ASSESSED VALUATION
EXEMPT FROM TAXATION (M+ $15,000 or more) but less than (M+ $16,800) 5 per centum
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to increasing maximum income eligibility levels for real property tax exemptions for seniors
Purpose or general idea of bill
To gradually increase the income levels for the senior citizen partial real property tax exemption that may be enacted by local governments over multiple years.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of this bill amends subparagraph 1 of paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 of section 467 of the Real Property Tax Law to increase the income eligibility levels for the partial real property tax exemption that local governments may provide to property owners who are at least 65 years old.
Read the full memo (750 words)
The exemption, which ranges from 5% to 45% of the property's assessed value, uses a sliding scale based on the property owner's income to determine the exemption amount. For years beginning before July 1, 2019, the maximum exemption of 45% would be available to property owners with an income that is less than the maximum income level for the locality plus $1,000. The minimum exemption of 5% would be available to property owners with an income that is less than the maximum income level for the locality plus $8,400.
Section 2 of this bill changes the letters for paragraphs (c) and (d) of subdivision 1 of section 467 of the Real Property Tax Law to (g) and (h), respectively, and adds paragraphs (c), (d), (e), and (f) to subdivision 1 to address the exemption for different years. For years beginning on and after July 1, 2019 and before July 1, 2020, the maximum exemption of 45% would be available to property owners with an income that is less than the maximum income level for the locality plus $1,250. The minimum exemption of 5% would be available to property owners with an income that is less than the maximum income level for the locality plus $10,500.
For years beginning on and after July 1, 2020 and before July 1, 2021, the maximum exemption of 45% would be available to property owners with an income that is less than the maximum income level for the locality plus $1,500. The minimum exemption of 5% would be available to property owners with an income that is less than the maximum income level for the locality plus $12,600.
For years beginning on and after July 1, 2021 and before July 1, 2022, the maximum exemption of 45% would be available to property owners with an income that is less than the maximum income level for the locality plus $1,750. The minimum exemption of 5% would be available to property owners with an income that is less than the maximum income level for the locality plus $14,700.
For years beginning on and after July 1, 2022, the maximum exemption of 45% would be available to property owners with an income that is less than the maximum income level for the locality plus $2,000. The minimum exemption of 5% would be available to property owners with an income that is less than the maximum income level for the locality plus $16,800.
Section 3 of this bill provides that this act shall take effect immediately.
Existing law
Real Property Tax Law section 467 currently authorizes local governments to provide a partial real property tax exemption to property owners who are at least 65 years of age.
Justification
Local governments have the option to provide a partial real property tax exemption to senior citizens based upon their income. This partial exemption can range from 5% of the property's assessed value to 45% percent of the property's assessed value. The income limitation for the 5% partial exemption, which was enacted in 1995, has never been increased. The income limitation for the remaining partial exemptions have not been increased since 1994.
This bill would allow local governments to increase the income limitations for these partial exemptions so that more senior citizens could receive increased relief from their local real property taxes.
Prior legislative history
2016: S.1074-A - Passed the Senate 2015: S.1074 - Passed the Senate 2014: S.3585-A - Referred to Aging 2013: S.3585-A - 3rd Reading Calendar 2012: S.2212-A - Passed the Senate 2011: S.2212-A - 3rd Reading Calendar 2010: S.2022 - Referred to Aging 2009: S.2022 - Referred to Aging 2008: S.2818-A - Passed the Senate 2007: S.2818-A - Passed the Senate
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
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