Schenectady County Legislature Approves Amendment to Senior Citizen Tax Exemption

“In these tough economic times, it is important that we provide tax relief to our residents, especially our senior population,” said Schenectady County Legislator Tony Jasenski, sponsor of Local Law 1 of 2010 which amended the Senior Citizen Tax Exemption for County property taxes beginning this year. The amendment, adopted at the county Legislature's last meeting, allows Schenectady County residents who turn sixty-five after March 1 and before December 31 to receive the Senior Citizen’s Exemption for the 2011 tax year. Currently only individuals who turn sixty-five before the March 1 date qualify for the exemption. The Senior Citizen’s Exemption is a sliding scale exemption from county property taxes of between five and fifty percent and is available to seniors with an annual income below $37,400.

The Democratic Majority on the County Legislature passed a 2.13% tax cut this year, the third cut in the last five years and the largest cut in at least 20 years. This makes the Schenectady County full value tax rate the lowest since 1956; a feat made possible by the Democratic Majority's efforts over the last 6 years to cut spending and create a leaner more efficient government. This amendment is another example of county Democrats working to provide property tax relief to county residents.

Click here for more information on the senior exemption.