Property Tax Exemptions

     New York State's Office of Real Property Tax Services created a list of city property tax exemptions for fiscal year 2010. Here are a few: Ithaca at 62%, Oneonta at 51.4%, Cortland at 36%, Oswego at 36%, and Batavia at 25.7%. Included in these exemptions are federal, state, county, city, school, other municipal authorities, and non-profits such as hospitals and churches. See the listed cities at:  http://www.tax.ny.gov/research/property/reports/exempt/10exrpt.htm#table4 
     Cortland's overall exemption will increase with the addition of a new multi-million dollar building on state campus.
     Individual property owners and businesses not covered by PILOT agreements may pay more when these property tax exemptions increase. Talk to home owners in the Fall Creek area of Ithaca to understand the onerous effect of these taxes. Homes have been reassessed to higher values and taxes have increased over the years. Some homeowners are having serious financial trouble as a result.
     Most homeowners, businesses and municipal authorities already recognize the problems associated with increasing property tax exemptions. The state legislature, however, largely ignores the issue.
     There are several property tax associations in New York State. All lobby for reform. Each has a different solution or solutions. Some argue for spending restraints, others argue for tax equity. Please visit TaxNightmare at:  http://taxnightmare.org/blog/, Nassau County Civic Association at: http://nassaucivic.com/default.htm, and Town of Potsdam Taxpayers Association at:  http://www.toptaonline.org/.