Issues: Property Tax

State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has issued the following statement:

“The State Senate passed historic legislation last night to make New York the 44th state to cap property taxes.  A cap will stop property taxes from spiraling out of control and prevent homeowners from being taxed out of their homes. But in order for the cap to work, mandate relief will be needed.”

“That is why the State Senate also took the first steps to begin to provide $127 million in much needed mandate relief for school districts and municipalities. The act also sets up a Mandate Relief Council to establish a procedure to repeal unfunded mandates.”

ALBANY – Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – Olean) today announced a historic victory for the taxpayers of New York State, as the State Legislature adopted landmark legislation to establish the State’s first ever cap on property taxes.

SENATE PASSES HISTORIC PROPERTY TAX CAP LEGISLATION Bill Also Provides for Mandate Relief The New York State Senate today passed historic property tax relief legislation that enacts a cap on the growth of local property taxes. The bill (S.5856), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos, will cap school and local government taxes to less than two percent or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is lower. Mandate relief is also included, with $127 million in savings to local governments, in addition to the creation of a Mandate Relief Council to identify and repeal unsound, unduly burdensome laws and regulations.

ALBANY,  06/24/11 - The New York State Senate today passed historic property tax relief legislation that enacts a cap on the growth of local property taxes.

“Property taxpayers in New York State are tapped out,” said Senator Seward.  “Enacting a property tax cap is a commonsense approach that will provide significant savings and help families and senior citizens afford to stay in their homes.

“Our small business owners, and in particular, our farmers, who are crumbling under the burden of out of control property taxes, will also receive much needed relief.  Now, instead of agonizing over skyrocketing tax bills, our business leaders can turn their attention to creating jobs and reviving our economy.”

New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle said his bill capping school taxes for eligible senior citizens older than 70 years of age has passed the New York State Senate and will now go to the Assembly.

This bill amends the real property tax law by establishing a fixed real property school tax rate for persons 70 years of age or over who meet the requirements for the enhanced STAR exemption. Under the bill, residential real property owned and occupied by individuals who are 70 years of age or over; or by husband and wife, one of whom is seventy years of age or over and meets each of the requirements for the enhanced STAR exemption, will be eligible for a fixed real property school tax rate.

New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle and New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) were joined today by Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst to announce the introduction of new State Legislation which would allow municipalities to increase the maximumproperty tax exemptions under the alternative veteran’s exemptions.

A.8186/S.5597 would further amend the Real Property Tax Law by providing exemptions to veterans which more appropriately reflect the recent rise in real property values. Under the proposed legislation the new cap for wartime veterans would increase from $54,000 to $75,000; from $36,000 to $50,000 for combat veterans; and, from $180,000 to $250,000 for disabled veterans.