Valley Stream raises property tax exemptions income limit

The Valley Stream Board of Trustees approved a resolution at its Sept. 15 meeting to raise the income limit for the village’s real property tax exemptions code, which trustees said could affect a significant number of residents living on a fixed income.

The limit was raised from a maximum of $29,000 annual income to $36,400, and the scale changed from a five percent decrease in exemption to a 50 percent decrease, according to village treasurer and receiver of taxes Michael Fox.

Those who have qualified in the past will see an increase in savings, Fox said, and many who haven’t qualified before will qualify now.

“We’ve had the same income limit for eight or nine years,” Fox said. “We looked at codes in other towns and villages and decided to update our own.”

The filing deadline is Dec. 31. Applications can be picked up at Village Hall.

Fox said he will try to make a list of residents who may qualify but can’t be sure it will be complete, so he encouraged anyone who thinks they might be eligible to inquire. He said the village will send letters to residents who make the list, but those who don’t receive a letter could still qualify.

Mayor Ed Fare said the measure is intended to relieve the financial burden on local seniors.

“We need to help keep seniors in their homes. The county gives further exemptions, so you try to strike a balance,” he said.

Fox said inquiries should be directed to his office at 516-592-5109.