Caribbean L 14 ife, June 12-18, 2020
Public Advocate, Jumaane D. Williams Offi ce of Public Advocate
Williams wants passage
of COVID-19 property
tax relief bill
By Nelson A. King
New York City Public Advocate,
Jumaane D. Williams has called for
the passage of his legislation, at a City
Council hearing, which would defer the
property tax liabilities on certain residential
property owners impacted by
the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The City Council’s hearing this week
came as New York City has begun
Phase One of re-opening amid the
COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting
economic crisis.
Specifically, Williams said the measure,
Preconsidered Intro. 6276, would
require the city’s Department of
Finance to offer agreements to defer
real property tax liability otherwise due
and payable as of Jul. 1, 2020 until
Oct.1, 2020.
Williams said eligible property
owners would own property with an
assessed value of $250,000 or less that
serves as their primary residence, have
experienced economic hardship relating
to COVID-19, and have a combined
annual income of $200,000 or less.
He said this bill will provide a significant
tax relief for property owners,
and will apply to 99 percent of Class 1
homes, 96 percent of co-op units, and
87 percent of condos.
“As we all know, the coronavirus has
hindered the ability of New Yorkers to
meet their tax obligations over the past
three months, and this issue will likely
remain for many more to come,” Williams
said. “The city must act in ways
to ease this burden while balancing the
budget, as property tax payments are
the biggest revenue source that funds
public goods and services.
“In order for us as elected officials
to adequately help New Yorkers during
this pandemic, we must provide them
with resources and assistance that will
alleviate their financial worries and
safeguard their ability to continue living
in their homes,” Williams added.
He said his legislation “and the work
we are doing defines the right balance.
“Keeping in mind, we need property
taxes to do the good work many of the
things we are speaking about and New
Yorkers are talking about,” Williams
said.
“But it does strike the balance of
doing that but not putting the burden
on people who can pay it, because of
what happened,” he added.
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