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Caitlin McCann 798-5800

Picente Approves County Property Tax Break
For Low Income Homeowners With Disabilities
 

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr., today signed a local law approved by the Oneida County Board of Legislators to create a property tax exemption for homeowners with disabilities who also have low incomes.

“This exemption recognizes that it is in everyone’s best interests to help homeowners remain in their homes even when they face the hurdles of having a disability and having a low income,” Picente said. “I am pleased the Board of Legislators acted to approve this proposal, because I believe government needs to do everything we can to help those with the greatest needs.”

Legislator Richard Flisnik said: “I know this law will help people in my district who need to stretch their fixed incomes as far as possible. This law says to the people who are affected by it that we are aware of their needs and problems and that we are trying to make government responsive.”

Legislator Michael Hennessy said: “This local law will be important to our constituents because even though the amount they save in taxes may be small, it is a large amount on very limited budgets. I am pleased to have supported this law.”

Picente also noted the strong support the law received from Legislators Rose Ann Convertino, Pam Mandryck, Les Porter and Michael Waterman. “There are people who, because of their circumstances, are entitled to exemptions and deserve a little bit of help from the County. This is our way of working with people with disabilities,” Picente said. “I am pleased to work with the Board to make it easier for people to stay in their homes so that they can enjoy a higher quality of life.”

 Picente said the proposal would be structured in the same fashion as the exemption granted to seniors. Exemptions would be granted on a sliding scale based upon the combined incomes of the owners for the prior tax year. To receive the exemption, the maximum income of the property’s owners would have to be less than $26,900. The maximum exemption that reduces an assessment by 50% of its value would apply to people with incomes below $18,500 per year.

Picente said the exemption would require proof of income as well as disability status, and would only apply to properties used exclusively for residential purposes. Griffo said that any property receiving a tax exemption under the Senior Citizens With Limited Income Exemption is not eligible to receive the Low Income Disabled Exemption.