What's happening
This bill raises the income limits for senior and disabled rent and property tax exemptions in New York, adjusting them annually for inflation.
Why it matters
Expanding Access to Relief. By raising the income thresholds for rent and property tax exemptions, more low- and moderate-income seniors and people with disabilities could qualify for financial relief, helping them remain in their homes despite rising living costs.
Protecting Against Inflation. The bill ties future eligibility thresholds to the regional Consumer Price Index (CPI), meaning that as the cost of living increases, the exemption programs will adjust accordingly. This prevents seniors and disabled residents from losing benefits simply due to inflation.
Stabilizing Housing for Vulnerable Populations. The bill allows certain agreements between tenants and landlords to limit rent increases, ensuring that eligible seniors and disabled tenants in specific housing types (including those formerly under special housing programs) can benefit from rent stabilization and tax abatements, subject to city approval.
Impact on Local Governments and Budgets. By broadening eligibility and indexing to inflation, the legislation could increase the number of exemptions granted, potentially reducing local tax revenue but enhancing housing security and affordability for vulnerable New Yorkers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Raise Income Limit for Exemptions
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 26
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to local government
- Print number 2911a
- Amend (t) and recommit to local government
- Referred to local government
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 Income Limits for Exemptions
In Assembly Committee · Real Property Taxation · Sponsor Deborah Glick
Full text
7 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2911--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 30, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KAVANAGH -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government -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 combined household income limit for eligibility for a senior citizen rent increase exemption (SCRIE), disability rent increase exemption (DRIE), senior citizen homeowners' exemption (SCHE), and disabled homeowners' exemption (DHE) on the basis of the consumer price index; and in relation to local laws, ordinances or resolutions providing for the abatement of taxes in a city with a population of one million or more persons
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph a of subdivision 1 and paragraphs a and b of subdivision 3 of section 467-b of the real property tax law, paragraph a of subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 576 of the laws of 1974, paragraph a of subdivision 3 as amended by section 1 of part U of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014 and paragraph b of subdivision 3 as amended by section 1 of chapter 129 of the laws of 2014, are amended to read as follows:
a. "Dwelling unit" means that part of a dwelling in which a head of the household resides and which is subject to either the emergency housing rent control law or to the rent and rehabilitation law of the city of New York enacted pursuant to the local emergency housing rent control law, or to the emergency tenant protection act of nineteen seventy-four or is a dwelling unit contained in real property described in subdivision fourteen of this section;
a. for a dwelling unit where the head of the household is a person sixty-two years of age or older, no tax abatement shall be granted if the combined income of all members of the household for the income tax
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02343-03-9
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year immediately preceding the date of making application exceeds four thousand dollars, or such other sum not more than twenty-five thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand five, twenty-six thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand six, twenty-seven thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand seven, twenty-eight thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand eight, twenty-nine thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand nine, and fifty thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand fourteen, as may be provided by the local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this section, provided that when the head of the household retires before the commencement of such income tax year and the date of filing the application, the income for such year may be adjusted by excluding salary or earnings and projecting his or her retirement income over the entire period of such year. The maximum income threshold provided for herein shall be increased by order of the commissioner of the state division of housing and community renewal on January first of each year to reflect any increase in the regional consumer price index for the N.Y., N.Y.-Northeastern, N.J. area, based upon the index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) during the preceding twelve month period.
b. for a dwelling unit where the head of the household qualifies as a person with a disability pursuant to subdivision five of this section, no tax abatement shall be granted if the combined income for all members of the household for the current income tax year exceeds fifty thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand fourteen, as may be provided by the local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this section. The maximum income threshold provided for herein shall be increased by order of the commissioner of the state division of housing and community renewal on January first of each year to reflect any increase in the regional consumer price index for the N.Y., N.Y.-Northeastern, N.J. area, based upon the index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) during the preceding twelve month period.
§ 1-a. Paragraph a of subdivision 1 of section 467-b of the real property tax law, as added by chapter 689 of the laws of 1972, is amended to read as follows:
a. "Dwelling unit" means that part of a dwelling in which a head of the household resides and which is subject to either emergency housing rent control law or to rent and rehabilitation law of the city of New York enacted pursuant to the local law enacted pursuant to the local emergency housing rent control law or is a dwelling unit contained in real property described in subdivision fourteen of this section;
§ 1-b. Section 467-b of the real property tax law is amended by adding a new subdivision 14 to read as follows:
14. In a city with a population of one million or more, any such local law, ordinance or resolution may provide for the abatement of taxes of such city imposed on:
(a) real property originally organized pursuant to article two of the private housing finance law containing dwelling units in which the qualifying head of household or their qualifying successor in interest: (i) has a signed agreement with the landlord to limit increases in maximum rent to an amount based on what is ordered by the rent guidelines board for the lifetime of the tenancy, which amount may be less than, equal to, or greater than the amount so ordered by the rent guidelines board, and (ii) is otherwise eligible for the tax abatement provided in this section, regardless of whether such real property is still subject to the regulations of said article; or
S. 2911--A 3
(b) real property containing dwelling units in which the qualifying head of household or their qualifying successor in interest: (i) has a signed agreement with the landlord to limit increases in maximum rent to an amount equal to or less than those ordered by the rent guidelines board for the lifetime of the tenancy, and (ii) is otherwise eligible for the tax abatement provided in this section;
(c) provided, however, that the application for any abatement pursuant to this subdivision shall be subject to the approval of the New York city department of housing preservation and development, in such department's discretion.
§ 2. Paragraphs b, d and m of subdivision 1 of section 467-c of the real property tax law, paragraph b as amended by chapter 420 of the laws of 1991, paragraph d as separately amended by chapters 188 and 205 of the laws of 2005, subparagraph 1 of paragraph d as amended by section 2 of part U of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014 and paragraph m as amended by chapter 129 of the laws of 2014, are amended to read as follows:
b. "Dwelling unit" means that part of a dwelling in which an eligible head of the household resides and which is subject to the provisions of either Article II, IV, V, or XI of the private housing finance law; or that part of a dwelling which was or continues to be subject to a mortgage insured or initially insured by the federal government pursuant to section two hundred thirteen of the National Housing Act, as amended, in which an eligible head of the household resides or is a unit in a housing development described in subdivision thirteen of this section.
d. "Eligible head of the household" means (1) a person or his or her spouse who is sixty-two years of age or older and is entitled to the possession or to the use and occupancy of a dwelling unit, provided, however, with respect to a dwelling which was subject to a mortgage insured or initially insured by the federal government pursuant to section two hundred thirteen of the National Housing Act, as amended "eligible head of the household" shall be limited to that person or his or her spouse who was entitled to possession or the use and occupancy of such dwelling unit at the time of termination of such mortgage, and whose income when combined with the income of all other members of the household, does not exceed six thousand five hundred dollars for the taxable period, or such other sum not less than sixty-five hundred dollars nor more than twenty-five thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand five, twenty-six thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand six, twenty-seven thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand seven, twenty-eight thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand eight, twenty-nine thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand nine, and fifty thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand fourteen, as may be provided by local law; or (2) a person with a disability as defined in this subdivision. The maximum income threshold provided for herein shall be increased by order of the commissioner of the state division of housing and community renewal on January first of each year to reflect any increase in the regional consumer price index for the N.Y., N.Y.-Northeastern, N.J. area, based upon the index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) during the preceding twelve month period.
m. "Person with a disability" means an individual who is currently receiving social security disability insurance (SSDI) or supplemental security income (SSI) benefits under the federal social security act or disability pension or disability compensation benefits provided by the United States department of veterans affairs or those previously eligible by virtue of receiving disability benefits under the supplemental
S. 2911--A 4
security income program or the social security disability program and currently receiving medical assistance benefits based on determination of disability as provided in section three hundred sixty-six of the social services law and whose income for the current income tax year, together with the income of all members of such individual's household, does not exceed fifty thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand fourteen, as may be provided by local law. The maximum income threshold provided for herein shall be increased by order of the commissioner of the state division of housing and community renewal on January first of each year to reflect any increase in the regional consumer price index for the N.Y., N.Y.-Northeastern, N.J. area, based upon the index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) during the preceding twelve month period.
§ 2-a. Section 467-c of the real property tax law is amended by adding a new subdivision 13 to read as follows:
13. In a city with a population of one million or more, any such local law, ordinance or resolution may provide for the abatement of taxes of such city imposed on:
(a) real property originally organized pursuant to article two of the private housing finance law containing dwelling units in which the qualifying head of household or their qualifying successor in interest: (i) has a signed agreement with the landlord to limit increases in maximum rent to an amount based on what is ordered by the rent guidelines board for the lifetime of the tenancy, which amount may be less than, equal to, or greater than the amount so ordered by the rent guidelines board, and (ii) is otherwise eligible for the tax abatement provided in this section, regardless of whether such real property is still subject to the regulations of said article; or
(b) real property containing dwelling units in which the qualifying head of household or their qualifying successor in interest: (i) has a signed agreement with the landlord to limit increases in maximum rent to an amount equal to or less then those ordered by the rent guidelines board for the lifetime of the tenancy, and (ii) is otherwise eligible for the tax abatement provided in this section;
(c) provided, however, that the application for any abatement pursuant to this subdivision shall be subject to the approval of the New York city department of housing preservation and development, in such department's discretion.
§ 3. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 3 of section 467 of the real property tax law, as separately amended by chapters 131 and 279 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
(a) if the income of the owner or the combined income of the owners of the property for the income tax year immediately preceding the date of making application for exemption exceeds the sum of three thousand dollars, or such other sum not less than three thousand dollars nor more than twenty-six thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand six, twenty-seven thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand seven, twenty-eight thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand eight, twenty-nine thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand nine, and in a city with a population of one million or more fifty thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand seventeen, as may be provided by the local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this section. The maximum income threshold provided for herein shall be increased by order of the commissioner on January first of each year to reflect any increase in the regional consumer price index for the N.Y., N.Y.-Northeastern, N.J. area, based upon the index for all urban consum-
S. 2911--A 5
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 the combined household income limit for eligibility for a senior citizen rent increase exemption (SCRIE), disability rent increase exemption (DRIE), senior citizen homeowners' exemption (SCHE), and disa- bled homeowners' exemption (DHE) on the basis of the consumer price index; and in relation to local laws, ordinances or resolutions provid- ing for the abatement of taxes in a city with a population of one million or more persons
Purpose
Increases the maximum income allowable for SCRIE, DRIE, SCHE, DHE on the basis of the consumer price index annually to reflect increases in the regional Consumer Price index (CPI). To also expand eligibility for SCRIE and DRIE to tenants whose landlords have entered into voluntary agreements to base future rent increases on rules established by the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB).
Summary of provisions
Section one of this legislation amends paragraphs a and b of subdivision 3 of 461-b of the real property tax law by providing that the maximum income threshold provided for in SCRIE and DRIE be increased by the commissioner of the state division of housing and community renewal on January 1 of each year to reflect any increase in the regional CPI.
Read the full memo (972 words)
Section two amends paragraphs d and m of subdivision 1 of section 467-c of the real property tax law, changing the "eligible head of household" and "person with a disability" definitions to reflect the annual CPI increase.
Sections 1-2a also amend sections 467-b and 467-c of the real property tax law by making "dwelling units" eligible for SCRIE and DRIE if there was an agreement providing for rent increases based on the amount ordered by the RGB.
Section three amends paragraph (a) of subdivision 3 of 467 of the real property tax law by providing that the maximum income threshold provided for in SCHE be increased annually by the CPI.
Section four amends subdivision 5 of section 459-c of the real property tax law by providing that the maximum income threshold provided for in DRIE be increased annually by the CPI.
Justification
SCRIE and DRIE grant certain exemptions from rent increases to tenants who are senior citizens and disabled, respectively. In order to qualify for SCRIE or DRIE, a person must meet certain age and income qualifica- tions. In addition, residents must pay more than one-third of their monthly household income on rent and live in a rent regulated apartment. Tenants who could qualify for these programs, but do not live in rent regulated apartments are not eligible. There are a number of buildings in New York City where landlords of deregulated units have agreed to base future rent increases on rules established by the RGB, essentially
tying the rent of these deregulated units to rent regulated rent increases.
This bill would expand eligibility for SCRIE and DRIE to tenants whose landlords have entered into voluntary agreements to base future rent increases on rules established by the Rent Guidelines Board.
Similarly, SCHE and DHE provide tax breaks to senior and disabled home- owners. This legislation will ensure that senior citizens and disabled persons are not displaced from their homes due to increased housing costs. As costs increase, these programs stabilize the amount that eligible persons pay so they can afford to remain in their homes. Annu- ally increasing the income level for eligible persons would allow many more people to benefit from these programs.
Fiscal implications
Unknown.
Legislative history
2018: S7069A - Passed Senate/Codes 2017: S4493 - Aging 2016: S3865 - Aging 2015: S3865 - Aging
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, that: *the amendments to paragraph a of subdivision 3 of section 467-b of the real property tax law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration of such paragraph pursuant to section 4 of part U of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, as amended, or the expiration of such section pursuant to section 17 of chapter 576 of the laws of 1974, as amended, and shall be deemed to expire therewith; *the amendments to paragraph b of subdivision 3 of section 467-b of the real property tax law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration of such section pursuant to section 17 of chapter 576 of the laws of 1974 and such paragraph pursuant to section 4 of chapter 129 of the laws of 2014, as amended, and shall be deemed to expire there- with; *the amendments to subparagraph 1 of paragraph d of subdivision 1 of section 467-c of the real property tax law made by section two of this act shall not affect the expiration of such subparagraph pursuant to section 4 of part U of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, as amended, and shall be deemed expired therewith; *the amendments to paragraph m of subdivision 1 of section 467c of the real property tax law made by section two of this act shall not affect the expiration of such paragraph pursuant to section 4 of chapter 129 of the laws of 2014, as amended and shall be deemed expired therewith; *the amendments to paragraph a of subdivision 1 of section 467-b of the real property tax law made by section one of this act shall be subject to the expiration and reversion of such section pursuant to section 17 of chapter 576 of the laws of 1974, as amended, when upon such date the provision of section 1-a of this act shall take effect; and *the amendments to section 467-b of the real property tax law made by section 1-b of this act shall survive the expiration and reversion of such section as provided in section 17 of chapter 576 of the law of 1974, as amended.
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