Huntington sets public hearings on tax exemptions

The Town of Huntington is holding a special town board meeting next week to conduct public hearings on four proposed tax exemptions recently enacted by the State Legislature.

State lawmakers in December adopted amendments to allow municipalities to give property tax exemptions to qualifying low-income senior citizens; surviving spouses of firefighter/ambulance workers killed in the line of duty; surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty; and active-duty military stationed in a combat zone.

Municipalities have the option to opt in. Town Supervisor Ed Smyth said a special meeting was needed to meet a state deadline of March 1 for adoption. “Our [scheduled] town board meeting isn’t until March 10,” Smyth said.

The meeting regarding the exemptions is set for Wednesday at 9 a.m. at Town Hall, 100 Main St. 

The town already provides property tax breaks for qualified seniors older than 65, town officials said in a news release. But under the new state law, the maximum exemption was raised from 50% to 65%. Those seniors who are already enrolled for a property tax exemption do not have to reapply if the town board approves the tax breaks, town officials said. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the exemption legislation into law Dec. 19. Eligible residents will have to file each year, town officials said. 

Applications, instructions and qualifications for the partial tax exemptions are now available on the town website or through the assessor’s office. The applications are being accepted and will be processed pending the town board approving the local legislation.

Residents must file applications by March 1 to be considered for the exemption. If sending by mail, the correspondence must be postmarked no later than that date.

Applications will be accepted in person Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Town Hall.

By Deborah S. Morris

deborah.morris@newsday.comdsvmorris

Deborah Morris is a native Long Islander and covers the town of Huntington.