Property Tax Exemption Forum Held for Senior Citizens

Senior citizens packed the East Meadow Public Library to learn more about how they can save money on their property taxes.

Count Leg. Norma Gonsalves, R-East Meadow, sponsored a Property Tax Exemption forum to help seniors become more informed on the process.

Gonsalves and Jim Davis, the Deputy Assessor for the Exemptions Division who has assisted Gonsalves in this forums for the past three years, instructed a crowd of roughly 50 senior citizens that they may be eligible for Low Income Senior Citizens and Limited Income Disability Exemptions, Enhanced STAR Exemptions, as well as Volunteer Firefighter, Ambulance Worker, Cold War and Veteran's Exemptions.  

According to Davis, the usually turn out for these forums exceeds 300, and he attributed the poor attendance to the weather.

Gonsalves instituted the Property Tax Forum seven years ago, which is about the same time that the Basic Star Exemption Program began.  She holds these forums for the benefit of seniors every year in October in three separate locations.

"If we hold the forums early enough in October before the application deadline on Jan. 3, then people have an opportunity to speak with assessors right on site to help them get the right exemptions according to their eligibility," Gonsalves said. "Many people don't even know that certain exemptions are in existence.  Education is key.  And this is what we are trying to do at these forums.  The more we educate, the more our residents will be able to qualify for the various exemptions that they should take advantage of." 

Audience members asked Gonsalves and Davis questions before they met individually with assessors who helped them discover the exemptions for which they are eligible.  

Dan Rella just turned 65 this year and he stated that he attended "to find out if [he is] eligible for the Enhanced Star Exemption," which gives a 45 percent return for seniors.  

Joseph Rochlin in the crowd asked Gonsalves if tax exemptions are retroactive because he "was never notified that [he] had any options for exemptions since [he] turned 65 years old 10 years ago."  The answer is no.  Residents cannot received exemptions from past years, only for each year applied.   

For residents who weren't able to make it to the East Meadow Public Library, not to worry; there are two chances to attend another Property Tax Exemption Forum and get all your questions answered: Oct. 27 form 1:30-4 p.m. at the North Merrick Public Library and Oct. 29th 1-3 p.m. at the North Bellmore Public Library.

Liz Fries, Gonsalves' Legislative Assistant, also added that Gonsalves offers Tax Grievances forums in January and February for all those who feel that the market value of their home is incorrect and would like to challenge the department of assessment to see if their taxes can be reduced.  

You can fill out an application to see if you are eligible for property tax exemptions on-line at www.mynassauproperty.com

You may contact Gonsalves and her team at her office: 516-571-6213, by email: ngonsalves@nassaucountyny.gov, or stop by the office at 1550 Franklin Ave. in Mineola.