Bill Text: NY A04031 | 2009-2010 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to limiting real property assessment increases on primary residences only and to provide for senior tax deferral; to amend the tax law, in relation to establishing a personal income tax credit for a cap on real property tax based off of a household's gross income; and to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing a school district to impose a cap on taxes

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Republican 11-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-06 - referred to real property taxation [A04031 Detail]

Download: New_York-2009-A04031-Introduced.html
                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         4031
                              2009-2010 Regular Sessions
                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y
                                   January 29, 2009
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by  M.  of A. THIELE, BURLING, CROUCH, ERRIGO, GIGLIO, KOLB,
         MILLER, WALKER, RAIA, TOWNSEND --  Multi-Sponsored  by  --  M.  of  A.
         BACALLES,  CONTE,  SPANO -- read once and referred to the Committee on
         Real Property Taxation
       AN ACT to amend the real property tax law, in relation to limiting  real
         property  assessment  increases  on  primary  residences  only  and to
         provide for senior tax deferral; to amend the tax law, in relation  to
         establishing  a  personal income tax credit for a cap on real property
         tax based off of a household's gross income; and to amend  the  educa-
         tion law, in relation to authorizing a school district to impose a cap
         on taxes
         THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section 1. The real property tax  law  is  amended  by  adding  a  new
    2  section 307-b to read as follows:
    3    S  307-B.  LIMITATION  ON INCREASES OF ASSESSED VALUE OF PRIMARY RESI-
    4  DENCES ONLY REAL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION.  1.  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY
    5  PROVISION  OF  ANY  GENERAL,  SPECIAL  OR LOCAL LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE
    6  ASSESSOR FOR A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION SHALL NOT INCREASE  THE  ASSESSMENT
    7  OF ANY PRIMARY RESIDENCES ONLY TAXABLE REAL PROPERTY AS DEFINED PURSUANT
    8  TO  SECTION THREE HUNDRED OF THIS TITLE, AS MEASURED FROM THE FULL VALU-
    9  ATION ASSESSMENT OF SUCH REAL PROPERTY  ON  DECEMBER  THIRTY-FIRST,  TWO
   10  THOUSAND NINE, UNLESS THE PROPERTY IS SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR RENOVATED, OR
   11  TO CORRECT AN ERROR. THREE YEARS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION
   12  AND  ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS THEREAFTER, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION SHALL BE
   13  ALLOWED TO INCREASE THE ASSESSMENT  OF  TAXABLE  REAL  PROPERTY  BY  THE
   14  PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX OR FIVE PERCENT WHICHEV-
   15  ER IS LESS, BUT NOT MORE THAN THE ACTUAL INCREASE IN VALUE.
   16    2. WHEN A PERSON SELLS OR TRANSFERS HIS OR HER PRIMARY RESIDENCE WITH-
   17  IN THIS STATE AND WITHIN ONE YEAR ESTABLISHES IN THE SAME ASSESSING UNIT
   18  ANOTHER  PROPERTY  AS HIS OR HER NEW PRIMARY RESIDENCE, THE NEWLY ESTAB-
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD05122-01-9
       A. 4031                             2
    1  LISHED PRIMARY RESIDENCE SHALL BE INITIALLY ASSESSED AT LESS  THAN  FAIR
    2  MARKET  VALUE.  THE  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE NEW PRIMARY RESIDENCE'S FAIR
    3  MARKET VALUE AND ITS ASSESSED VALUE IN THE FIRST YEAR THE  HOMESTEAD  IS
    4  ESTABLISHED  SHALL  BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PREVIOUS PRIMARY RESI-
    5  DENCE'S FAIR MARKET VALUE AND ITS ASSESSED VALUE IN THE YEAR OF SALE. IN
    6  ADDITION, TO BE ASSESSED AS PROVIDED IN THIS SUBDIVISION,  THE  ASSESSED
    7  VALUE  OF  THE  NEW  PRIMARY  RESIDENCE  SHALL BE EQUAL TO OR EXCEED THE
    8  ASSESSED VALUE OF THE  PREVIOUS  PRIMARY  RESIDENCE.    THEREAFTER,  THE
    9  PRIMARY RESIDENCE SHALL BE ASSESSED AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION.
   10    S  2. Section 606 of the tax law is amended by adding a new subsection
   11  (qq) to read as follows:
   12    (QQ) CAP ON REAL PROPERTY TAX. (1) A TAXPAYER SHALL BE ALLOWED A CRED-
   13  IT, TO BE COMPUTED AS PROVIDED  IN  THIS  SUBSECTION,  AGAINST  THE  TAX
   14  IMPOSED BY THIS ARTICLE. A CAP ON REAL PROPERTY TAX SHALL BE ESTABLISHED
   15  BASED  ON  A  HOUSEHOLD'S GROSS INCOME AND INDEXED TO THE CONSUMER PRICE
   16  INDEX.
   17    (2) THE NET REAL PROPERTY TAX FOR ANY TAXABLE  YEAR  ON  A  PARCEL  OF
   18  OWNER-OCCUPIED  RESIDENTIAL  REAL  PROPERTY  SHALL  NOT EXCEED AN AMOUNT
   19  EQUAL TO THE FOLLOWING PERCENTAGE OF THE HOUSEHOLD GROSS INCOME:
   20  HOUSEHOLD GROSS INCOME                      CAP ON REAL PROPERTY TAX
   21  $200,000 OR LESS                            5% OF HOUSEHOLD GROSS INCOME
   22    (3) A TAXPAYER SHALL FILE INCOME TAX RETURNS IN THE MANNER  PRESCRIBED
   23  BY THIS ARTICLE. ANY AMOUNT PAID OVER THE REAL PROPERTY TAX CAP SHALL BE
   24  RETURNED TO THE TAXPAYER IN THE FORM OF A REFUNDABLE PERSONAL INCOME TAX
   25  CREDIT.  SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE OF THE REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW
   26  SHALL NOT BE AFFECTED BY ANY PROVISION OF THIS SUBSECTION.
   27    (4) THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX CREDIT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL ONLY
   28  BE AVAILABLE TO NEW YORK STATE RESIDENTS FOR A PRIMARY  RESIDENCE.  SUCH
   29  CREDIT  SHALL  BE  CLAIMED  ON  THE  NEW  YORK STATE RESIDENT INCOME TAX
   30  RETURN, FORM IT-201.
   31    (5) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS  SHALL  HAVE
   32  THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   33    (A) A "HOMEOWNER" SHALL MEAN ANY PERSON:
   34    (I) WHO OCCUPIED THE SAME NEW YORK RESIDENCE FOR SIX MONTHS OR MORE;
   35    (II) WHO PAID REAL PROPERTY TAXES ON SUCH PERSON'S RESIDENCE;
   36    (III) WHO WAS A NEW YORK STATE RESIDENT FOR ALL OF THE TAX YEAR;
   37    (IV)  WHO  COULD  NOT  BE CLAIMED AS A DEPENDENT ON ANOTHER TAXPAYER'S
   38  FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURN;
   39    (V) WHOSE RESIDENCE WAS NOT COMPLETELY  EXEMPTED  FROM  REAL  PROPERTY
   40  TAXES; AND
   41    (VI) WHOSE PRIMARY RESIDENCE IS IN NEW YORK STATE.
   42    (B) "MEMBERS OF A HOUSEHOLD" INCLUDE ALL WHO SHARE A RESIDENCE AND ITS
   43  FURNISHINGS,  FACILITIES,  AND  ACCOMMODATIONS  WHETHER SUCH PERSONS ARE
   44  RELATED OR NOT.
   45    HOWEVER, TENANTS, SUBTENANTS, ROOMERS, OR BOARDERS ARE NOT MEMBERS  OF
   46  A  HOUSEHOLD  UNLESS  SUCH  PERSONS  ARE RELATED IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
   47  WAYS:
   48    (I) A SON, DAUGHTER, OR A DESCENDENT OF  EITHER;  (II)  A  STEPSON  OR
   49  STEPDAUGHTER;  (III) A BROTHER, SISTER, STEPBROTHER, OR STEPSISTER; (IV)
   50  A FATHER, MOTHER, OR AN ANCESTOR OF EITHER; (V) A  STEPFATHER  OR  STEP-
   51  MOTHER;  (VI)  A  NIECE  OR  NEPHEW; (VII) AN AUNT OR UNCLE; OR (VIII) A
   52  SON-IN-LAW,     DAUGHTER-IN-LAW,      FATHER-IN-LAW,      MOTHER-IN-LAW,
   53  BROTHER-IN-LAW, OR SISTER-IN-LAW.
   54    PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT NO ONE CAN BE A MEMBER OF MORE THAN ONE HOUSE-
   55  HOLD AT ONE TIME.
       A. 4031                             3
    1    (C)  "HOUSEHOLD  GROSS INCOME" MEANS THE ANNUAL TOTAL OF THE FOLLOWING
    2  INCOME ITEMS THAT A HOMEOWNER AND ALL MEMBERS OF HIS  OR  HER  HOUSEHOLD
    3  RECEIVED DURING THE TAX YEAR;
    4    (I)  FEDERAL  ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME (EVEN IF SUCH PERSON DOES NOT HAVE
    5  TO FILE A FEDERAL RETURN);
    6    (II) NEW YORK STATE ADDITIONS TO FEDERAL ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME. FOR  A
    7  LIST  OF THESE ADDITIONS, SEE PUBLICATION 22, GENERAL INFORMATION ON NEW
    8  YORK STATE'S REAL PROPERTY TAX CREDIT FOR HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS, OR THE
    9  INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORM IT-201. FOR FORM IT-200 FILERS, THE NEW YORK STATE
   10  ADDITIONS TO FEDERAL ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME ARE  SHOWN  ON  FORM  IT-200,
   11  LINE 9, PUBLIC EMPLOYEE 414(H) RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS AND LINE 10, IRC
   12  125  AMOUNTS FROM THE NEW YORK CITY FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PROGRAM.  FOR FORM
   13  IT-201 FILERS, THE NEW YORK STATE ADDITIONS TO  FEDERAL  ADJUSTED  GROSS
   14  INCOME ARE SHOWN ON FORM IT-201, LINES 19 THROUGH 22;
   15    (III) SUPPORT MONEY, INCLUDING FOSTER CARE SUPPORT PAYMENTS;
   16    (IV)  INCOME  EARNED  ABROAD  EXEMPTED  BY SECTION 911 OF THE INTERNAL
   17  REVENUE CODE;
   18    (V) SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) PAYMENTS;
   19    (VI) NONTAXABLE INTEREST RECEIVED FROM NEW YORK STATE,  ITS  AGENCIES,
   20  INSTRUMENTALITIES, PUBLIC CORPORATIONS, OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS;
   21    (VII) WORKERS' COMPENSATION;
   22    (VIII)  THE  GROSS  AMOUNT OF LOSS-OF-TIME INSURANCE. (FOR EXAMPLE, AN
   23  ACCIDENT OR HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY  AND  DISABILITY  BENEFITS  RECEIVED
   24  UNDER A NO-FAULT AUTOMOBILE POLICY, ETC.);
   25    (IX)  CASH PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND RELIEF, OTHER THAN MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
   26  FOR THE NEEDY (FOR EXAMPLE, CASH GRANTS TO  CLIENTS,  EMERGENCY  AID  TO
   27  ADULTS,  VALUE  OF  FOOD  VOUCHERS  RECEIVED  BY  CLIENTS, ETC.), EXCEPT
   28  AMOUNTS RECEIVED FROM THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP);
   29    (X) NONTAXABLE STRIKE BENEFITS;
   30    (XI) THE GROSS AMOUNT OF PENSIONS AND  ANNUITIES,  INCLUDING  RAILROAD
   31  RETIREMENT BENEFITS;
   32    (XII) ALL PAYMENTS RECEIVED UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT AND VETERANS
   33  DISABILITY  PENSIONS REDUCED BY ANY MEDICARE PREMIUMS DEDUCTED FROM YOUR
   34  BENEFIT REPORTED ON  FEDERAL  FORM  SSA-1099,  SOCIAL  SECURITY  BENEFIT
   35  STATEMENT.
   36    HOUSEHOLD  GROSS INCOME SHALL NOT INCLUDE FOOD STAMPS, MEDICARE, MEDI-
   37  CAID, SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, SURPLUS FOOD, OR OTHER RELIEF IN KIND.    IT
   38  ALSO  SHALL  NOT  INCLUDE  PAYMENTS  MADE  TO VETERANS UNDER THE FEDERAL
   39  VETERANS' DIOXIN  AND  RADIATION  EXPOSURE  COMPENSATION  STANDARDS  ACT
   40  BECAUSE  OF  EXPOSURE TO HERBICIDES CONTAINING DIOXIN (AGENT ORANGE), OR
   41  PURSUANT TO CERTAIN AGENT ORANGE PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION.
   42    ALSO, HOUSEHOLD GROSS INCOME SHALL NOT INCLUDE PAYMENTS MADE TO  INDI-
   43  VIDUALS  BECAUSE  OF  THEIR  STATUS  AS  VICTIMS  OF NAZI PERSECUTION AS
   44  DEFINED IN FEDERAL PUBLIC LAW 103-286.
   45    (D) A "RESIDENCE" MEANS A DWELLING THAT A PERSON OWNS THAT IS  LOCATED
   46  IN  NEW  YORK  STATE.  FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH, EACH RESIDENCE
   47  WITHIN A MULTIPLE DWELLING UNIT MAY QUALIFY.  A CONDOMINIUM OR A COOPER-
   48  ATIVE WITHIN A SINGLE DWELLING IS ALSO A RESIDENCE.
   49    A TRAILER OR MOBILE HOME THAT IS USED ONLY FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES IS
   50  ALSO A RESIDENCE IF THE TRAILER OR MOBILE  HOME  IS  ASSESSED  FOR  REAL
   51  PROPERTY TAX PURPOSES.
   52    (E) "REAL PROPERTY TAXES PAID" ARE:
   53    (I)  ALL  CURRENT,  PRIOR, AND PREPAID REAL PROPERTY TAXES, SPECIAL AD
   54  VALOREM LEVIES AND ASSESSMENTS LEVIED AND PAID UPON A RESIDENCE OWNED OR
   55  PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY A QUALIFIED TAXPAYER (OR SPOUSE, IF THE SPOUSE OCCU-
   56  PIED THE RESIDENCE FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS) DURING THE TAX YEAR.    SUCH
       A. 4031                             4
    1  PERSON  MAY  ELECT TO INCLUDE REAL PROPERTY TAXES THAT ARE EXEMPTED FROM
    2  TAX UNDER SECTION FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN (FOR PERSONS  SIXTY-FIVE  AND
    3  OLDER)  OF  THE  REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW (VETERANS' TAX EXEMPTION DOES NOT
    4  QUALIFY).
    5    (II)  REAL  PROPERTY  TAXES  PAID  ALSO  INCLUDE ANY REAL ESTATE TAXES
    6  ALLOWED (OR WHICH WOULD BE ALLOWABLE IF THE TAXPAYER HAD FILED A  RETURN
    7  ON A CASH BASIS) AS A DEDUCTION FOR TENANT-STOCKHOLDERS IN A COOPERATIVE
    8  HOUSING CORPORATION UNDER SECTION 216 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.
    9    (III)  IF  ANY  PART OF A RESIDENCE WAS OWNED BY SOMEONE WHO WAS NOT A
   10  MEMBER OF A HOUSEHOLD, INCLUDE ONLY THE REAL PROPERTY  TAXES  PAID  THAT
   11  APPLY TO THE PART SUCH PERSON AND OTHER QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF A HOUSEHOLD
   12  OWN.
   13    IF  A  RESIDENCE WAS PART OF A LARGER UNIT, INCLUDE ONLY THE AMOUNT OF
   14  REAL PROPERTY TAXES PAID THAT CAN BE REASONABLY APPLIED TO SUCH PERSON'S
   15  RESIDENCE.
   16    IF A HOMEOWNER OWNED AND OCCUPIED MORE THAN ONE RESIDENCE  DURING  THE
   17  TAX YEAR, ADD TOGETHER THE PRORATED PART OF REAL PROPERTY TAXES PAID FOR
   18  THE PERIOD YOU OCCUPIED EACH RESIDENCE.
   19    S  3.  Section  2022  of  the education law is amended by adding a new
   20  subdivision 7 to read as follows:
   21    7. A. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, RULE  OR  REGULATION
   22  TO  THE  CONTRARY, IN A COMMON, UNION FREE, CENTRAL, CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
   23  DISTRICT OR CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT TO WHICH THIS ARTICLE APPLIES, UPON THE
   24  FILING WITH THE TRUSTEES OR BOARD OF EDUCATION OF A PETITION PURSUANT TO
   25  PARAGRAPH B OF THIS SUBDIVISION REQUESTING SUCH  OFFICERS  TO  SUBMIT  A
   26  PROPOSITION  FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPOSING A LIMITATION ON THE TAX RATE TO
   27  THE  QUALIFIED  VOTERS  AT  THE  ANNUAL  DISTRICT  MEETING   SIGNED   BY
   28  TWENTY-FIVE  PERCENT  OF THE NUMBER OF QUALIFIED VOTERS WHO VOTED IN THE
   29  PREVIOUS ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING, SAID NUMBER TO BE  DETERMINED  BY  THE
   30  NUMBER  OF  PERSONS  RECORDED  ON  THE POLL LIST AS HAVING VOTED AT SUCH
   31  DISTRICT MEETING, THE TRUSTEES OR BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL  SUBMIT  SUCH
   32  PROPOSITION TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS.
   33    B.  SUCH  PETITION  RELATING  TO IMPOSITION OF A LIMITATION ON THE TAX
   34  RATE SHALL BE SUBMITTED  AT  LEAST  THIRTY  DAYS  PRIOR  TO  THE  ANNUAL
   35  DISTRICT  MEETING  AND  SHALL  SPECIFY  THE  PROPOSED MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE
   36  CHANGE IN THE ESTIMATED TAX RATE, AS DEFINED BY  THE  COMMISSIONER  FROM
   37  THE  ACTUAL  TAX  RATE THAT RESULTED FROM THE LEVYING OF SCHOOL TAXES IN
   38  THE PRIOR SCHOOL YEAR THAT THE TRUSTEES OR BOARD OF EDUCATION MUST APPLY
   39  IN DEVELOPING OR ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR  COMMENCING  WITH
   40  THE BUDGET TO BE SUBMITTED AT THE NEXT ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING FOLLOWING
   41  VOTER  APPROVAL  OF SUCH PROPOSITION.   THE PROPOSITION PRESENTED TO THE
   42  QUALIFIED VOTERS FOR APPROVAL MUST SPECIFY THE LIMIT ON  THE  PERCENTAGE
   43  CHANGE IN THE ESTIMATED TAX RATE THAT THE PETITION PROPOSES TO IMPOSE.
   44    C. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-THREE
   45  OF  THIS  PART  OR ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, RULE OR REGULATION TO THE
   46  CONTRARY, UPON APPROVAL BY THE VOTERS OF A PROPOSITION IMPOSING A  LIMI-
   47  TATION  ON TAX RATE CHANGES PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION, FOR THE SCHOOL
   48  YEARS IN WHICH THE LIMITATION IS IN EFFECT  THE  TRUSTEES  OR  BOARD  OF
   49  EDUCATION  SHALL  NOT DEVELOP AND SUBMIT A PROPOSED BUDGET TO THE VOTERS
   50  AT THE ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING OR A BUDGET REVOTE  THAT  IN  COMBINATION
   51  WITH  ANY  SEPARATE  PROPOSITIONS  INVOLVING  THE  EXPENDITURE  OF MONEY
   52  PROPOSED BY THE TRUSTEES OR BOARD OF EDUCATION AT SUCH  ANNUAL  DISTRICT
   53  MEETING  OR BUDGET REVOTE, WOULD RESULT IN AN ESTIMATED TAX RATE, DETER-
   54  MINED AT THE TIME THE PROPERTY TAX REPORT CARD IS PREPARED, THAT  IS  IN
   55  EXCESS  OF THE MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN SUCH ESTIMATED TAX RATE THAT
   56  HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE VOTERS, AND THE TRUSTEES OR BOARD OF  EDUCATION
       A. 4031                             5
    1  SHALL  NOT ADOPT A CONTINGENCY BUDGET FOR SUCH SCHOOL YEARS, IN COMBINA-
    2  TION WITH ANY SUCH SEPARATE PROPOSITIONS PROPOSED  BY  THE  TRUSTEES  OR
    3  BOARD  OF  EDUCATION THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE VOTERS, WOULD RESULT
    4  IN AN ESTIMATED TAX RATE IN EXCESS OF SUCH LIMITATION.
    5    S 4. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, rule or regulation
    6  to  the contrary, in a village, town, city, or county upon the filing of
    7  a petition  pursuant to subdivision 2 of this section  with  the  county
    8  board  of  elections  in  which  the  political subdivision which is the
    9  subject of the petition is located, a proposition  for  the  purpose  of
   10  imposing  a  limitation  on  the tax rate to the qualified voters at the
   11  next general election or village general election,  if  the  proposition
   12  relates  to  a  village  tax  rate, signed by twenty-five percent of the
   13  number of qualified voters who voted in the previous general election or
   14  village general election if the proposition relates  to  a  village  tax
   15  rate, said number to be determined by respective board of elections such
   16  proposition shall be submitted to the qualified voters.
   17    2. Such petition relating to the imposition of a limitation on the tax
   18  rate  shall  be  submitted  at  least  thirty  days prior to the general
   19  election or village general election if the  proposition  relates  to  a
   20  village  tax  rate  and  shall  specify  the proposed maximum percentage
   21  change in the estimated tax rate from the actual tax rate that  resulted
   22  from  the  levying  of  property  taxes  in the prior year, for the year
   23  commencing with the budget in the year following voter approval of  such
   24  proposition.    The  proposition  presented  to the qualified voters for
   25  approval must specify the limit on the percentage change  in  the  esti-
   26  mated tax rate that the petition proposes to impose.
   27    S 5. The real property tax law is amended by adding eight new sections
   28  1443, 1444, 1445, 1446, 1447, 1448, 1449 and 1450 to read as follows:
   29    S  1443.  SENIOR TAX DEFERRAL. 1. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION THE
   30  FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   31    (A) "HOUSEHOLD" MEANS A PERSON OR GROUP OF PERSONS LIVING TOGETHER  IN
   32  A  ROOM  OR  GROUP  OF  ROOMS  AS  A HOUSING UNIT, BUT THE TERM DOES NOT
   33  INCLUDE PERSONS BOARDING IN OR RENTING A PORTION OF THE DWELLING.
   34    (B) "INCOME" MEANS THE "ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME," AS DEFINED IN  SECTION
   35  62  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  INTERNAL  REVENUE CODE, OF ALL MEMBERS OF A
   36  HOUSEHOLD.
   37    2. ANY PERSON WHO IS ENTITLED TO CLAIM ENHANCED STAR EXEMPTION  PURSU-
   38  ANT  TO  SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER MAY ELECT TO
   39  DEFER PAYMENT OF A PORTION OF THE COMBINED TOTAL OF THE AD VALOREM TAXES
   40  AND ANY NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS NOT  TO  EXCEED  TWENTY-FIVE  HUNDRED
   41  DOLLARS PER YEAR BY FILING AN ANNUAL APPLICATION FOR SENIOR TAX DEFERRAL
   42  WITH  THE ASSESSOR ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER FIRST BEFORE THE YEAR IN WHICH
   43  THE TAXES AND NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS ARE ASSESSED.  IT SHALL BE  THE
   44  BURDEN  OF  EACH  APPLICANT TO AFFIRMATIVELY DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE WITH
   45  THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION.
   46    3. APPROVAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR SENIOR TAX DEFERRAL SHALL DEFER THAT
   47  PORTION OF THE COMBINED TOTAL OF AD VALOREM TAXES AND ANY NON-AD VALOREM
   48  ASSESSMENTS NOT TO EXCEED TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS.
   49    4. NO SENIOR TAX DEFERRAL SHALL BE GRANTED:
   50    (A) IF THE TOTAL AMOUNT  OF  SENIOR  DEFERRED  TAXES,  NON-AD  VALOREM
   51  ASSESSMENTS, AND INTEREST PLUS THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF ALL OTHER UNSATISFIED
   52  LIENS ON THE HOMESTEAD EXCEEDS EIGHTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE ASSESSED VALUE
   53  OF THE HOMESTEAD, OR
   54    (B)  IF  THE  PRIMARY  MORTGAGE  FINANCING  ON THE HOMESTEAD IS FOR AN
   55  AMOUNT WHICH EXCEEDS SEVENTY PERCENT OF THE ASSESSED VALUE OF THE  HOME-
   56  STEAD.
       A. 4031                             6
    1    5.  THE  AMOUNT  OF  TAXES,  NON-AD  VALOREM ASSESSMENTS, AND INTEREST
    2  DEFERRED UNDER THIS ARTICLE SHALL ACCRUE INTEREST AT A RATE EQUAL TO THE
    3  SEMIANNUALLY COMPOUNDED RATE OF ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT PLUS THE AVERAGE
    4  YIELD TO MATURITY OF THE LONG-TERM FIXED-INCOME PORTION OF THE NEW  YORK
    5  STATE  AND  LOCAL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM INVESTMENTS AS OF THE END
    6  OF THE QUARTER PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE SALE OF  THE  DEFERRED  PAYMENT
    7  TAX  CERTIFICATES;  HOWEVER,  THE  INTEREST  RATE  MAY  NOT EXCEED SEVEN
    8  PERCENT.
    9    6. THE TAXES, NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS, AND INTEREST DEFERRED PURSU-
   10  ANT TO THIS ARTICLE SHALL CONSTITUTE A PRIOR LIEN AND SHALL ATTACH AS OF
   11  THE DATE AND IN THE SAME MANNER AND BE  COLLECTED  AS  OTHER  LIENS  FOR
   12  TAXES,  AS  PROVIDED  FOR  UNDER  THIS CHAPTER, BUT SUCH SENIOR DEFERRED
   13  TAXES, NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS, AND INTEREST SHALL ONLY BE DUE, PAYA-
   14  BLE, AND DELINQUENT AS PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE.
   15    S 1444. SENIOR TAX DEFERRAL; APPLICATION.    1.  THE  APPLICATION  FOR
   16  SENIOR  TAX  DEFERRAL  SHALL BE MADE UPON A FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE BOARD
   17  AND FURNISHED BY THE ASSESSOR. THE APPLICATION FORM SHALL BE SIGNED UPON
   18  OATH BY THE APPLICANT BEFORE AN  OFFICER  AUTHORIZED  BY  THE  STATE  TO
   19  ADMINISTER  OATHS.  THE  ASSESSOR MAY, IN HIS OR HER DISCRETION, REQUIRE
   20  THE APPLICANT TO SUBMIT SUCH OTHER EVIDENCE AND DOCUMENTATION AS  DEEMED
   21  NECESSARY  BY  THE ASSESSOR IN CONSIDERING THE APPLICATION. THE APPLICA-
   22  TION FORM SHALL ADVISE THE APPLICANT OF THE MANNER IN WHICH INTEREST  IS
   23  COMPUTED.  EACH  APPLICATION  FORM  SHALL  CONTAIN AN EXPLANATION OF THE
   24  CONDITIONS TO BE  MET  FOR  APPROVAL  AND  THE  CONDITIONS  UNDER  WHICH
   25  DEFERRED  TAXES  AND  INTEREST BECOME DUE, PAYABLE, AND DELINQUENT. EACH
   26  APPLICATION SHALL CLEARLY STATE THAT ALL SENIOR TAX  DEFERRALS  PURSUANT
   27  TO THIS ARTICLE SHALL CONSTITUTE A LIEN ON THE APPLICANT'S HOMESTEAD.
   28    2.  (A) THE ASSESSOR SHALL CONSIDER EACH ANNUAL APPLICATION FOR SENIOR
   29  TAX DEFERRAL WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THE DAY THE APPLICATION IS  FILED  OR
   30  AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE THEREAFTER. AN ASSESSOR WHO FINDS THAT THE APPLI-
   31  CANT  IS  ENTITLED TO THE SENIOR TAX DEFERRAL SHALL APPROVE THE APPLICA-
   32  TION AND FILE THE APPLICATION IN THE PERMANENT RECORDS. AN ASSESSOR  WHO
   33  FINDS  THE APPLICANT IS NOT ENTITLED TO THE DEFERRAL SHALL SEND A NOTICE
   34  OF DISAPPROVAL WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF  THE  FILING  OF  THE  APPLICATION,
   35  GIVING REASONS THEREFOR TO THE APPLICANT, EITHER BY PERSONAL DELIVERY OR
   36  BY  REGISTERED  MAIL  TO  THE MAILING ADDRESS GIVEN BY THE APPLICANT AND
   37  SHALL MAKE RETURN IN THE MANNER IN WHICH SUCH NOTICE WAS SERVED UPON THE
   38  APPLICANT UPON THE ORIGINAL NOTICE THEREOF AND FILE AMONG THE  PERMANENT
   39  RECORDS  OF  THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE.   THE ORIGINAL NOTICE OF DISAPPROVAL
   40  SENT TO THE APPLICANT SHALL ADVISE THE APPLICANT OF THE RIGHT TO  APPEAL
   41  THE DECISION OF THE ASSESSOR TO THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW AND SHALL
   42  INFORM THE APPLICANT OF THE PROCEDURE FOR FILING SUCH AN APPEAL.
   43    (B) APPEALS OF THE DECISION OF THE ASSESSOR TO THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT
   44  REVIEW  SHALL  BE  IN  WRITING  ON  A  FORM  PRESCRIBED BY THE BOARD AND
   45  FURNISHED BY THE ASSESSOR. SUCH APPEAL SHALL BE FILED WITH THE BOARD  OF
   46  ASSESSMENT  REVIEW  WITHIN  TWENTY DAYS AFTER THE APPLICANT'S RECEIPT OF
   47  THE NOTICE OF DISAPPROVAL. THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW  SHALL  REVIEW
   48  THE  APPLICATION  AND  THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT
   49  REVIEW UPON WHICH THE APPLICANT BASED HIS OR HER CLAIM  FOR  SENIOR  TAX
   50  DEFERRAL AND, AT THE ELECTION OF THE APPLICANT, SHALL HEAR THE APPLICANT
   51  IN  PERSON, OR BY AGENT ON THE APPLICANT'S BEHALF ON HIS OR HER RIGHT TO
   52  SENIOR TAX DEFERRAL. THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW  SHALL  REVERSE  THE
   53  DECISION OF THE ASSESSOR AND GRANT SENIOR TAX DEFERRAL TO THE APPLICANT,
   54  IF  IN  ITS  JUDGMENT  THE  APPLICANT IS ENTITLED THERETO, OR AFFIRM THE
   55  DECISION OF THE ASSESSOR. SUCH ACTION OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT  REVIEW
   56  SHALL  BE  FINAL  UNLESS  THE APPLICANT OR ASSESSOR OR OTHER LIENHOLDER,
       A. 4031                             7
    1  WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS FROM THE DATE OF DISAPPROVAL OF THE  APPLICATION  BY
    2  THE BOARD, FILES IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE PROPER-
    3  TY IS LOCATED, AN ARTICLE SEVENTY-EIGHT PROCEEDING PURSUANT TO THE CIVIL
    4  PRACTICE LAW AND RULES.
    5    3. EACH APPLICATION SHALL CONTAIN A LIST OF, AND THE CURRENT VALUE OF,
    6  ALL OUTSTANDING LIENS ON THE APPLICANT'S HOMESTEAD.
    7    4.  FOR  APPROVED APPLICATIONS, THE DATE OF RECEIPT BY THE ASSESSOR OF
    8  THE APPLICATION FOR SENIOR TAX DEFERRAL SHALL  BE  USED  IN  CALCULATING
    9  TAXES DUE AND PAYABLE NET OF DISCOUNTS FOR EARLY PAYMENT.
   10    5. IF SUCH PROOF HAS NOT BEEN FURNISHED WITH A PRIOR APPLICATION, EACH
   11  APPLICANT SHALL FURNISH PROOF OF FIRE AND EXTENDED COVERAGE INSURANCE IN
   12  AN  AMOUNT  WHICH  IS  IN EXCESS OF THE SUM OF ALL OUTSTANDING LIENS AND
   13  DEFERRED TAXES AND INTEREST WITH A LOSS PAYABLE CLAUSE TO THE ASSESSOR.
   14    6. THE ASSESSOR SHALL NOTIFY THE COLLECTING OFFICER.
   15    7. THE ASSESSOR  SHALL  PROMPTLY  NOTIFY  THE  COLLECTING  OFFICER  OF
   16  DENIALS  OF APPLICATION AND CHANGES IN OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTIES THAT HAVE
   17  BEEN GRANTED A SENIOR TAX DEFERRAL.
   18    S 1445. ANNUAL NOTIFICATION TO TAXPAYER. 1. THE ASSESSOR SHALL  NOTIFY
   19  THE  TAXPAYER  OF  EACH PARCEL APPEARING ON THE REAL PROPERTY ASSESSMENT
   20  ROLL OF THE RIGHT TO DEFER PAYMENT OF TAXES AND NON-AD  VALOREM  ASSESS-
   21  MENTS PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE. SUCH NOTICE SHALL BE PRINTED ON THE BACK
   22  OF  ENVELOPES  USED FOR MAILING THE NOTICE OF TAXES.  SUCH NOTICE OF THE
   23  RIGHT TO DEFER PAYMENT OF TAXES AND  NON-AD  VALOREM  ASSESSMENTS  SHALL
   24  READ:
   25                        NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS ENTITLED
   26                           TO SENIOR TAX DEFERRAL
   27    "IF  YOUR  INCOME  IS  LOW  ENOUGH TO MEET CERTAIN CONDITIONS, YOU MAY
   28  QUALIFY FOR A DEFERRED TAX PAYMENT PLAN ON PRIMARY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.
   29  AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY IS AVAILABLE IN  THE  ASSESSOR'S
   30  OFFICE."
   31    2.  ON  OR  BEFORE APRIL FIRST OF EACH YEAR, THE ASSESSOR SHALL NOTIFY
   32  EACH TAXPAYER TO WHOM A SENIOR TAX DEFERRAL HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY  GRANTED
   33  OF  THE  ACCUMULATED  SUM OF DEFERRED TAXES, NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS,
   34  AND INTEREST OUTSTANDING.
   35    S 1446. DEFERRED PAYMENT TAX CERTIFICATES FOR PERSONS WHO QUALIFY  FOR
   36  THE  ENHANCED  STAR  PROVISIONS.    THE  ASSESSOR SHALL NOTIFY THE LOCAL
   37  GOVERNING BODY OF THE AMOUNT OF TAXES  AND  NON-AD  VALOREM  ASSESSMENTS
   38  DEFERRED  WHICH  WOULD  OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN COLLECTED FOR SUCH GOVERNING
   39  BODY.
   40    S 1447. CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP  OR  USE  OF  PROPERTY  OWNED  BY  PERSONS
   41  SIXTY-FIVE  YEARS  OR OLDER.   1. IN THE EVENT THAT THERE IS A CHANGE IN
   42  USE OF SENIOR TAX-DEFERRED PROPERTY SUCH THAT THE  OWNER  IS  NO  LONGER
   43  ENTITLED  TO CLAIM SENIOR TAX DEFERRAL FOR SUCH PROPERTY, OR SUCH PERSON
   44  FAILS TO MAINTAIN THE REQUIRED FIRE AND EXTENDED INSURANCE COVERAGE, THE
   45  TOTAL AMOUNT OF SUCH DEFERRED TAXES AND INTEREST FOR ALL PREVIOUS  YEARS
   46  SHALL  BE DUE AND PAYABLE DECEMBER FIRST OF THE YEAR IN WHICH THE CHANGE
   47  IN USE OCCURS OR ON THE DATE FAILURE TO MAINTAIN  INSURANCE  OCCURS  AND
   48  SHALL  BE  DELINQUENT  ON JANUARY THIRTY-FIRST OF THE YEAR FOLLOWING THE
   49  YEAR IN WHICH THE CHANGE IN USE OR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN INSURANCE OCCURS.
   50    2. IN THE EVENT THAT THERE IS A CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF SENIOR  TAX-DE-
   51  FERRED  PROPERTY,  THE  TOTAL AMOUNT OF SUCH DEFERRED TAXES AND INTEREST
   52  FOR ALL PREVIOUS YEARS SHALL BE DUE AND PAYABLE ON THE DATE  THE  CHANGE
   53  IN OWNERSHIP TAKES PLACE AND SHALL BE DELINQUENT ON JANUARY THIRTY-FIRST
   54  FOLLOWING  SUCH  DATE.  WHEN,  HOWEVER,  THE CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP IS TO A
       A. 4031                             8
    1  SURVIVING SPOUSE AND SUCH SPOUSE IS ELIGIBLE TO CLAIM SENIOR TAX  DEFER-
    2  RAL  ON  SUCH PROPERTY, SUCH SURVIVING SPOUSE MAY CONTINUE THE DEFERMENT
    3  OF PREVIOUSLY DEFERRED TAXES AND INTEREST PURSUANT TO THE  PROVISION  OF
    4  THIS ARTICLE.
    5    3. WHENEVER THE ASSESSOR DISCOVERS THAT THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN THE
    6  OWNERSHIP  OR USE OF PROPERTY WHICH HAS BEEN GRANTED A SENIOR TAX DEFER-
    7  RAL, THE ASSESSOR SHALL NOTIFY THE COLLECTING OFFICER IN WRITING OF  THE
    8  DATE  SUCH  CHANGE  OCCURS, AND THE COLLECTING OFFICER SHALL COLLECT ANY
    9  TAXES AND INTEREST DUE OR DELINQUENT.
   10    4. DURING ANY YEAR IN WHICH THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF SENIOR DEFERRED TAXES,
   11  INTEREST, AND ALL OTHER  UNSATISFIED  LIENS  ON  THE  PRIMARY  RESIDENCE
   12  EXCEEDS  EIGHTY-FIVE  PERCENT OF THE ASSESSED VALUE OF THE PRIMARY RESI-
   13  DENCE, THE ASSESSOR SHALL IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE OWNER OF  THE  PROPERTY
   14  ON WHICH TAXES AND INTEREST HAVE BEEN DEFERRED THAT THE PORTION OF TAXES
   15  AND  INTEREST WHICH EXCEEDS EIGHTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE ASSESSED VALUE OF
   16  THE PRIMARY RESIDENCE SHALL BE DUE AND PAYABLE  WITHIN  THIRTY  DAYS  OF
   17  RECEIPT  OF  THE  NOTICE.  FAILURE TO PAY THE AMOUNT DUE SHALL CAUSE THE
   18  TOTAL AMOUNT OF SENIOR DEFERRED TAXES AND INTEREST TO BECOME DELINQUENT.
   19    5. EACH YEAR, UPON NOTIFICATION,  EACH  OWNER  OF  PROPERTY  ON  WHICH
   20  SENIOR  TAXES AND INTEREST HAVE BEEN DEFERRED SHALL SUBMIT TO THE ASSES-
   21  SOR A LIST OF, AND THE CURRENT VALUE OF, ALL OUTSTANDING  LIENS  ON  THE
   22  OWNER'S  PRIMARY  RESIDENCE.    FAILURE  TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTIFICATION
   23  WITHIN THIRTY DAYS SHALL CAUSE THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF SENIOR DEFERRED TAXES
   24  AND INTEREST TO BECOME PAYABLE WITHIN THIRTY DAYS.
   25    S 1448. PREPAYMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF SENIOR DEFERRED TAXES.  1.  ALL
   26  OR  PART  OF  THE  SENIOR DEFERRED TAXES AND ACCRUED INTEREST MAY AT ANY
   27  TIME BE PAID TO THE COLLECTING OFFICER BY:
   28    (A) THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY OR THE SPOUSE OF THE OWNER.
   29    (B) THE NEXT OF KIN OF THE OWNER, HEIR OF  THE  OWNER,  CHILD  OF  THE
   30  OWNER, OR ANY PERSON HAVING OR CLAIMING A LEGAL OR EQUITABLE INTEREST IN
   31  THE  PROPERTY,  PROVIDED NO OBJECTION IS MADE BY THE OWNER WITHIN THIRTY
   32  DAYS AFTER THE COLLECTING OFFICER NOTIFIES THE OWNER OF  THE  FACT  THAT
   33  SUCH PAYMENT HAS BEEN TENDERED.
   34    2.  ANY PARTIAL PAYMENT MADE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE APPLIED
   35  FIRST TO ACCRUED INTEREST.
   36    3. WHEN ANY SENIOR  DEFERRED  TAXES  OR  INTEREST  IS  COLLECTED,  THE
   37  COLLECTING OFFICER SHALL MAINTAIN A RECORD OF THE PAYMENT, SETTING FORTH
   38  A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY AND THE AMOUNT OF SENIOR TAXES OR INTEREST
   39  COLLECTED  FOR  SUCH  PROPERTY.  THE COLLECTING OFFICER SHALL DISTRIBUTE
   40  PAYMENTS RECEIVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES FOR DISTRIBUTION  OF
   41  AD VALOREM TAXES OR REDEMPTION MONEYS AS PRESCRIBED IN THIS ARTICLE.
   42    S  1449.  CONSTRUCTION.  NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO
   43  PREVENT THE COLLECTION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES WHICH  BECOME  A  LIEN
   44  AGAINST  SENIOR  TAX-DEFERRED PROPERTY, DEFER PAYMENT OF SPECIAL ASSESS-
   45  MENTS TO BENEFITED PROPERTY OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFICALLY ALLOWED TO  BE
   46  DEFERRED,  OR  AFFECT  ANY PROVISION OF ANY MORTGAGE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT
   47  RELATING TO PROPERTY REQUIRING A PERSON TO PAY AD VALOREM TAXES OR  NON-
   48  AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS.
   49    S  1450. PENALTIES. 1. THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES SHALL BE IMPOSED ON ANY
   50  PERSON WHO WILLFULLY FILES INFORMATION FOR A SENIOR TAX DEFERRAL  PURSU-
   51  ANT  TO SECTION FOURTEEN HUNDRED FORTY-THREE OF THIS ARTICLE REQUIRED BY
   52  THIS ARTICLE WHICH IS INCORRECT:
   53    (A) SUCH PERSON SHALL PAY THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF SENIOR TAXES AND  INTER-
   54  EST DEFERRED, WHICH AMOUNT SHALL IMMEDIATELY BECOME DUE;
   55    (B)  SUCH PERSON SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM FILING A SENIOR TAX DEFER-
   56  RAL APPLICATION FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS; AND
       A. 4031                             9
    1    (C) SUCH PERSON SHALL PAY A PENALTY  OF  TWENTY-FIVE  PERCENT  OF  THE
    2  TOTAL AMOUNT OF SENIOR TAXES AND INTEREST DEFERRED.
    3    2.  ANY  PERSON  AGAINST WHOM THE PENALTIES PRESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION
    4  HAVE BEEN IMPOSED MAY APPEAL THE  PENALTIES  IMPOSED  TO  THE  BOARD  OF
    5  ASSESSMENT REVIEW WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER SUCH PENALTIES ARE IMPOSED.
    6    S 6. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
    7  it  shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
    8  ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
    9  tation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed  to
   10  be made and completed on or before such effective date.
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