Senator Kenneth P. LaValle today announced that legislation he sponsored to protect seniors from increases in school taxes has passed the Senate. The measure would allow for the freeze of the school property tax rate for Enhanced STAR eligible seniors, age 70 and older.
"Long Island residents pay among the highest property taxes in the nation," said Senator LaValle. "Many seniors live on fixed incomes and find it extremely difficult to keep pace with continuous increases in school taxes. Even the slightest increase in taxes could mean taking money away from their food budget or much-needed medical care. The measure I sponsored would stabilize taxes for Enhanced STAR recipients over age seventy and help ease the anxiety seniors experience in anticipation of a school tax increase."
Under Senator LaValle's bill, Enhanced STAR seniors would apply for a cap on their real property school tax rate when they reach age 70. Eligible seniors would be required to file for the tax rate cap on an annual basis with their local assessor on or before the taxable status date. The tax rate will remain the same as when the person reached age 70 and could be lowered if the tax rate were reduced at some point thereafter.
"Somewhere between the cradle and the grave, people should be provided with some form of property tax relief," said Senator LaValle. "This measure would provide property tax relief that our seniors need and deserve. It would also improve their ability to retain their roots in their hometown communities and remain close to their family and friends."
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