BILL NUMBER: S9173
SPONSOR: PALUMBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to establishing a
capped real property school tax rate for persons seventy years of age or
older who meet the eligibility requirements for the enhanced STAR
exemption
 
PURPOSE:
To create a fixed real property school tax rate for real property owners
seventy (70) years of age or older who qualify for the enhanced STAR
exemption.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Amends section 431 of the real property tax to provide a
fixed real property school tax rate for persons seventy years of age or
over who meet the requirements for the enhanced STAR exemption. The
enhanced STAR exemption is available for the primary residences of
senior citizens with yearly household incomes not exceeding the state-
wide standard.
1: (a) 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 70 years of age or older and meets each of the requirements
for the enhanced STAR exemption, shall be eligible for a fixed real
property school tax rate;
(b) "fixed real property school tax rate' shall mean the lower of: (i)
the real property school tax rate established on the taxable status date
immediately following the date on which an eligible person attains the
age of 70 years; or (ii) the real property school tax rate established
on any taxable status date after an eligible person attains the age of
70 years; and
(c) the fixed real property school tax rate shall be determined annually
for each eligible person.
2: The bill requires eligible persons to apply annually for the fixed
rate in a manner and form determined by the school district. The bill
also requires eligible persons to submit proof of age.
3. Every school district shall notify residential real property owners
of the provisions of this bill Section 2. Sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
By time New Yorkers attain the age of seventy, they typically no longer
have dependents in the New York State school system. This bill is
designed to benefit New York's senior citizens who are seventy years of
age or older by freezing real property school tax rates. By providing a
fixed school tax rate to