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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 150-06
May 11, 2006

MAYOR BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION IMPROVING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND PROPERTY OWNERS

Remarks by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

"The next bill before me is Introductory Number 232-A, sponsored by Council Members Monserrate, Weprin, Addabbo, Dickens, Gennaro, Gentile, James, Martinez, Nelson, Recchia, Sanders, Stewart, Avella, Katz, Fidler and the Public Advocate, Betsy Gotbaum.

"This bill requires that the Department of Finance  provide notice to residential property owners of certain real property tax exemptions.  While the Finance Department already does an excellent job of publicizing property tax exemptions, this bill requires that the agency supplement those efforts by mailing annual notices to the owners of class one properties and class two residential condominium properties.  This notice would inform these owners of the availability of certain residential real property tax exemptions, including the exemptions for senior citizen homeowners, persons with disabilities, veterans, gold star parents, as well as the school tax relief (STAR) exemption.  The bill also allows the Commissioner, at her discretion, to publicize any other residential real property tax exemptions.

"In addition, this bill specifies that notices include a description of the exemption programs and a phone number and a web site address at the Department of Finance where taxpayers can obtain additional information on the exemption programs, as well as necessary forms and applications. 

"Taxpayers will now be made aware of all exemptions for which they may be eligible, which in turn, can save them real money. I would like to thank Martha Stark, Commissioner of the Department of Finance and her staff for their work on this bill.  I would also like to thank the City Council."







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Stu Loeser / Jordan Barowitz   (212) 788-2958




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