Hempstead, NY - April 10, 2018 - Assemblywoman Melissa Miller (R,C,Ref-Atlantic Beach) is pleased to announce with Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin a state legislative proposal to expand the “Home Improvement Tax Reduction for the Physically Disabled” exemption to allow an “opt in” for special district taxes. Currently the law allows a partial property tax exemption to be offered to property owners who are making eligible home improvements to improve the use or accessibility of the home for occupants with disabilities, such as physical challenges or those who are legally blind.
“For my family, when it comes to home improvements, they are usually a necessity, not a luxury,” said Miller. “As my son Oliver, 18, has grown through the years, we have learned through our life experiences the changes that we needed to make to our home in order for it to be more accessible for him. These improvements have been shockingly expensive because they are so specialized. There are so many families that need to make modifications and improvements to their homes, so I am extremely proud to support this legislation to help these families in any way I can.”
Some of the special districts which could “opt in” for this expanded exemption include, but are not limited to, sanitation, fire, water and library districts. With this expansion to the exemption, a family could see savings of over $650, or 25 percent. This expansion would largely affect qualifying improvements or renovations in the future, rather than existing ones, from increased assessments or property taxes. Projects eligible for this expansion normally consist of projects such as elevators, renovations to kitchens and bathrooms areas to make them more accessible, improvements to entryways and access ramps.