Benefits for Property Owners

The Department of Finance administers a number of benefits for property owners in the form of exemptions and abatements. Exemptions lower the amount of tax you owe by reducing your property's assessed value. Abatements reduce your taxes by applying credits to the amount of taxes you owe.

Table listing all exemptions and highlights

Childcare Center Abatement


Clean Energy Systems Exemption


Clergy Exemption


Cooperative & Condominium Abatement


Disabled Crime Victim/Good Samaritan Exemption


Disabled Homeowners Exemption (DHE)


Green Roof Abatement


Major Capital Improvement (MCI) Abatement


Rent Freeze Program for Seniors (SCRIE) Landlord Information


Rent Freeze Program for People with Disabilities (DRIE) Landlord Information


School Tax Relief (STAR) Exemption


Senior Citizen Homeowner's Exemption (SCHE)


Solar Roof Abatement


Veterans Exemption



Requesting an Adjustment to Tax Exemptions (FAQs)

Adjustments to exemptions are automatically made as a result of the sale of your property. The recording of the deed, except for a life estate deed, will revoke the following exemptions: Basic or Enhanced School Tax Relief (STAR) Senior Citizen Homeowner Exemption (SCHE) Disabled Homeowner Exemption (DHE) Veterans or Clergy Exemption

The STAR exemption remains on the property until the end of the tax year (June 30). All other exemptions listed above, are canceled as of the next quarter after filing. Deed recordings require no action by a seller.

You can request to have the following exemptions removed due to changes in primary residence or the death of a property owner: STAR (Basic or Enhanced), Veterans, Disabled/Senior Citizen Homeowners Exemption (DHE or SCHE), Crime Victim/Good Samaritan, Condo/Cooperative Abatement or Clergy. You must complete an Request to Remove Property Tax Exemption(s) form to remove a property tax exemption you currently receive. Download the form from Forms page.

Changes to an exemption resulting from a change in income are processed through exemption renewals.

Unremarried former spouses of veterans who have passed away remain eligible for veterans benefits. Exemption revocations may be retroactive depending upon the notification date and circumstances.

If the owner becomes eligible for a new exemption or wishes to transfer exemptions to a new primary residence, they must file a Homeowner Tax Benefit (HTB) Application.