[Adopted as Ch. 79, Art. I, of the 1979 Code
(Ch. 119, Art. I, of the 1990 Code)]
The purpose of this article is to grant a partial
exemption for taxation to the extent of 50% of the assessed valuation
of real property which is owned by certain persons with limited income
who are 65 years of age or over meeting the requirements set forth
in § 467 of the Real Property Tax Law.
Real property owned by persons 65 years of age
or over shall be exempt from the Town taxes to the extent of 50% of
the assessed valuation, subject to the following conditions:
A.
The owner or all of the owners must file an application
annually in the Assessor's office at least 90 days before the day
for filing the final assessment roll or such other time as may be
hereafter fixed by law.
B.
Real property owned by one or more persons, each of whom is 65 years
of age or over, or real property owned by a husband and wife, or by
siblings, one of whom is 65 years of age or over, shall be exempt
from taxation by the Town of Bethel to the extent of 50% of the assessed
value thereof or such lesser per centum of assessed value thereof
for persons whose maximum income eligibility is increased in accordance
with the provisions of Real Property Tax Law § 467(1)(b)
Subdivisions (1), (2), and (3).
[Amended 3-5-1980; 12-12-1990 by L.L. No. 3-1990; 2-23-1995 by L.L. No. 1-1995; 9-25-2003 by L.L. No. 4-2003; 12-9-2015 by L.L. No. 4-2015]
(1)
The maximum income eligibility determined in accordance with Subdivision
3 of § 467 of the Real Property Tax Law shall be $20,500,
and shall entitle qualified owners to a 50% exemption.
(2)
Any such otherwise eligible person having an income that exceeds
the income set forth in the preceding subsection hereof shall be eligible
for exemption, in accordance with the following schedule:
|
Annual Income
|
Portion of Assessed Valuation
Exempt from Real Property Taxes
| |
|---|---|---|
|
$0 to $20,500
|
50%
| |
|
$20,500 to $21,500
|
45%
| |
|
$21,500 to $22,500
|
40%
| |
|
$22,500 to $23,500
|
35%
| |
|
$23,500 to $24,400
|
30%
| |
|
$24,400 to $25,300
|
25%
| |
|
$25,300 to $26,200
|
20%
| |
|
$26,200 to $27,100
|
15%
| |
|
$27,100 to $28,000
|
10%
| |
|
$28,000 to $28,900
|
5%
|
(3)
No exemption shall be allowed except in accordance with the provisions
of § 467 of the Real Property Tax Law for real property
which qualifies by use and ownership upon an application submitted
in the manner provided by such section.
C.
Title to the property must be vested in the owner
or one of the owners for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the
date that the application is filed.
[Amended 11-6-2008 by L.L. No. 8-2008]
D.
The property must be used exclusively for residential
purposes, be occupied in whole or in part by the owners and constitute
the legal residence of the owners; provided, however, that in the
event any portion of such property is not so used exclusively for
residential purposes but is used for other purposes, such portion
shall be subject to taxation and the remaining portion only shall
be entitled to the exemption provided by this section.
[Amended 11-6-2008 by L.L. No. 8-2008]
