The Town of New Windsor unanimously approved on Wednesday, December 7 to increase the annual senior income ceiling for the town from $37,400 to $42,400.

“We’re doing what we can for the senior citizens and we’re mindful of the fact that other taxpayers are having a lot of difficulty paying their taxes too,” said Town Supervisor George Meyers.

During the meeting, New Windsor Assessor Todd Wiley provided a brief overview and the purpose of the exemption for the town. According to Wiley, the public hearing held on Wednesday night is a requirement to proceed with the exemption process.

“Governor [Kathy] Hochul signed some new legislation a few months ago, allowing municipalities if they want to raise the income ceiling for the low income senior exemption,” Wiley said. “We [New Windsor] haven’t been able to raise it for many years. We were at that former ceiling of $37,400. Our intention is to raise it by $5,000 a year to $42,400.”

With the passage of the local law, for New Windsor residents who are approved and meet the requirements of an income below $42,400, town and highway taxes for the town’s general fund would be cut in half according to Wiley. However, this exemption does not include special district taxes. These districts clarified by Wiley via email include the ambulance district, a garbage district, three fire districts, 15 water districts, 25 sewer districts, three operation and maintenance districts for Beaver Dam and 16 drainage districts. Wiley further clarified via email that the school districts and the county have different income ceilings that they set. The town has 363 properties that are receiving this exemption and the town does not plan on raising the ceiling at this current time.

Additionally via email, Wiley clarified that the exemption eligibility is based on age, income and residency. The owner or all owners of a property must be 65 years of age and be that age before December 31 of the year that they apply for the exemption. There are exceptions according to Wiley for a husband and wife or siblings where only one of these owners must be 65 years of age. In terms of income, the income of all owners combined must be below the ceiling and all owners must reside there.

According to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, applicants must reside in their current residence for at least 12 months prior to their application filing. The exemptions would not apply to those who have moved within the 12 month period.

If any resident wishes to apply or reapply for the senior citizens exemption, they must file the applicable form with the town assessor’s office and the next filing deadline with the state is March 1, 2023 according to Wiley. If any town residents should have any questions about the exemption or other town related matters, they may contact the town’s assessor’s office at (845) 563-4631.