Nassau lawmakers vote to expand assessment exemption 

Nassau seniors or disabled individuals who earn up to $50,000 annually are expected to be able to exempt up to 50% of their property tax assessments after the Nassau County Legislature voted Wednesday to boost the income cap from $26,000.

Lawmakers voted to increase the maximum income level to $50,000 for the 50% assessment exemption in a vote of 19-0 on Wednesday.

Aides said Wednesday night that County Executive Bruce Blakeman will sign the bill.

The legislature enacted two bills — one for individuals who are disabled and meet limited income requirements, and the other for seniors who meet the limited income threshold.

Earlier this summer, the State Legislature expanded eligibility for the 50% exemption.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat running for a full term in November, signed the measure on Aug. 8.

Municipalities must hold legislative votes to opt into the measure.

The law put suburbs on par with New York City income caps.

Legislative Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) said Wednesday the new measure will "be able to double the amount of people that are eligible" for the tax break.

Abrahams called on Blakeman, a Republican, to encourage residents to apply for the exemption with a "full-court press," making them aware of the "higher incomes than in the past."

Legis. Steve Rhoads (R-Bellmore), a candidate for State Senate, said Nassau residents, "pay among the highest amount of taxes any place in the state, really any place in the country. With inflation running rampant … Any relief that we can offer to our seniors, it is something that we're interested in offering."

Under the new legislation, the exemptions are:

• 50% of property value, for incomes up to and including $50,000
• 45% for incomes between $50,000 and $51,000
• 40% for incomes between $51,000 and $52,000
• 35% for incomes between $53,000 and $53,900
• 25% for incomes between $53,900 and $54,800
• 20% for incomes between $54,800 and $55,700
• 15% for incomes between $55,700 and $56,600
• 10% for incomes between $56,600 and $57,500
• 5% for incomes between $57,500 and $58,400

In 2021,7,618 properties were owned by seniors with the limited income exemption.

That took a total of $15.6 million in property value off the rolls, according to data compiled by the State Office of Real Property Tax Services.

In 2021, 331 properties had the exemption for disabled homeowners with limited incomes. Those exemptions took a total of $1.97 million in property value off the tax rolls.

Hochul said in a statement last month: "With inflation and rising costs putting a strain on families nationwide, this legislation will help to ensure that New Yorkers … get some much-needed relief."

By Scott Eidler

scott.eidler@newsday.com@ScottEidler

Scott Eidler is a deputy editor for the towns department at Newsday. Scott has worked at Newsday since 2012 and previously covered municipal government and education.