Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo’s Office
Addabbo recently presented Kew Gardens resident Helen “Leah” Olynciw with a Senate Citation in honor of her 100th birthday. This week, the senator applauded the expansion of senior citizen and disabled homeowner property tax exemption programs in the city.
By Forum Staff
A bill recently signed into law will enable greater numbers of senior citizen and disabled homeowners in the five boroughs to seek relief from high property tax bills, according to State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach), who supported the legislation in Albany.
The annual household income cap for participating in the Senior Citizen Homeowners Exemption and Disabled Homeowners’ Exemption programs has now been raised to $50,000 from $29,000 for a full 50-percent property tax exemption, and to $58,399 from $37,399 for a partial exemption. Seniors must be 65 or older to participate. The tax relief programs offer property tax exemptions ranging from five percent to 50 percent of a home’s assessed value, Addabbo noted.
“It has been 11 years since income eligibility levels were last raised under the SCHE and DHE programs. With this expansion, many more senior citizens and disabled homeowners will be able to seek welcome property tax breaks,” said the senator, a member of the Committee on Aging. “Eligible seniors and disabled homeowners can save hundreds of dollars in property taxes under these programs. Benefit programs like this lend a critical helping hand to people living on fixed incomes who want to remain in their communities without fear of losing their homes.”
Addabbo said that interested homeowners who believe they may be eligible for SCHE or DHE may apply by Jan. 16, 2018 at nyc.gov/sche or nyc.gov/dhe. Those who are already receiving SCHE or DHE do not need to take any action; any increases to their benefits will appear on their 2018 property tax bills, with a retroactive credit to July 1, 2017. Homeowners who were previously denied tax relief because their income was too high will also have benefits applied to their accounts automatically, starting with the 2018 tax bill with a retroactive credit to July 1, 2017.
“Providing [disabled and elderly residents] with tax relief is one way to help them afford other basic life necessities and lead happier, healthier and more dignified lives,” Addabbo added.
