What's happening
This bill extends and expands eligibility for J-51 property tax abatements in New York, increasing the assessed value threshold and extending program deadlines.
Why it matters
Broadens access to J-51 benefits. By raising the assessed value cap from $35,000 to $40,000, more property owners—including those with higher-valued buildings—could now qualify for the tax abatement, thereby incentivizing more investment in building upgrades and conversions.
Extends the program’s availability. The one-year extension for adopting or amending local laws means property owners and developers have more time to initiate qualifying renovations or conversions, potentially encouraging more housing improvements in the short term.
Potentially impacts housing quality and affordability. By making it easier for property owners to benefit from J-51, the bill could accelerate repairs and upgrades—especially in older or under-maintained buildings—helping to preserve and improve New York’s aging housing stock, which can benefit tenants and neighborhoods.
Signals ongoing public investment in housing incentives. The continuation and expansion of the J-51 program reflect a policy choice to support private investment in housing maintenance and modernization through public tax incentives, which could have budgetary implications for local governments.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Raise Assessed Value Threshold
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 26
8 Co-sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Substituted by S3985B
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.541
- Rules report cal.541
- Reported
- Reported referred to rules
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Print number 2092b
- Amend and recommit to real property taxation
- Print number 2092a
- Amend (t) and recommit 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.
Raise Property Tax Exemption Limit
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Toby Ann Stavisky
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2092--B
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 22, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. BRAUNSTEIN, BENEDETTO, MOSLEY, JAFFEE, DenDEKKER, COLTON, O'DONNELL -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK, LALOR, RIVERA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Real Property Taxation -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the real property tax law, in relation to increasing the average assessed value threshold and to eligibility for J-51 tax abatements
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The opening paragraph of paragraph (a) of subdivision 1 of section 489 of the real property tax law, as amended by section 19 of part A of chapter 20 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
Any city to which the multiple dwelling law is applicable, acting through its local legislative body or other governing agency, is hereby authorized and empowered, to and including January first, two thousand [nineteen] twenty, to adopt and amend local laws or ordinances providing that any increase in assessed valuation of real property shall be exempt from taxation for local purposes, as provided herein, to the extent such increase results from:
§ 2. The closing paragraph of subparagraph 6 of paragraph (a) of subdivision 1 of section 489 of the real property tax law, as amended by section 20 of part A of chapter 20 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
Such conversion, alterations or improvements shall be completed within thirty months after the date on which same shall be started except that such thirty month limitation shall not apply to conversions of residential units which are registered with the loft board in accordance with article seven-C of the multiple dwelling law pursuant to subparagraph
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02925-09-9
A. 2092--B 2
one of this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a sixty month period for completion shall be available for alterations or improvements undertaken by a housing development fund company organized pursuant to article eleven of the private housing finance law, which are carried out with the substantial assistance of grants, loans or subsidies from any federal, state or local governmental agency or instrumentality or which are carried out in a property transferred from such city if alterations and improvements are completed within seven years after the date of transfer. In addition, the local housing agency is hereby empowered to grant an extension of the period of completion for any project carried out with the substantial assistance of grants, loans or subsidies from any federal, state or local governmental agency or instrumentality, if such alterations or improvements are completed within sixty months from commencement of construction. Provided, further, that such conversion, alterations or improvements shall in any event be completed prior to June thirtieth, two thousand [nineteen] twenty. Exemption for conversions, alterations or improvements pursuant to subparagraph one, two, three or four of this paragraph shall continue for a period not to exceed fourteen years and begin no sooner than the first quarterly tax bill immediately following the completion of such conversion, alterations or improvements. Exemption for alterations or improvements pursuant to this subparagraph or subparagraph five of this paragraph shall continue for a period not to exceed thirty-four years and shall begin no sooner than the first quarterly tax bill immediately following the completion of such alterations or improvements. Such exemption shall be equal to the increase in the valuation which is subject to exemption in full or proportionally under this subdivision for ten or thirty years, whichever is applicable. After such period of time, the amount of such exempted assessed valuation of such improvements shall be reduced by twenty percent in each succeeding year until the assessed value of the improvements are fully taxable. Provided, however, exemption for any conversion, alterations or improvements which are aided by a loan or grant under article eight, eight-A, eleven, twelve, fifteen or twentytwo of the private housing finance law, section six hundred ninety-six-a or section ninety-nine-h of the general municipal law, or section three hundred twelve of the housing act of nineteen hundred sixty-four (42 U.S.C.A. 1452b), or the Cranston-Gonzalez national affordable housing act (42 U.S.C.A. 12701 et. seq.), or started after July first, nineteen hundred eighty-three by a housing development fund company organized pursuant to article eleven of the private housing finance law which are carried out with the substantial assistance of grants, loans or subsidies from any federal, state or local governmental agency or instrumentality or which are carried out in a property transferred from any city and where alterations and improvements are completed within seven years after the date of transfer may commence at the beginning of any tax quarter subsequent to the start of such conversion, alterations or improvements and prior to the completion of such conversion, alterations or improvements.
§ 3. Subparagraph (iv) of paragraph (c) of subdivision 17 of section 489 of the real property tax law, as added by chapter 388 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read as follows:
(iv) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the assessed value limitation shall not at any time exceed [thirty-five] forty thousand dollars.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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