By: George Hudak
Important Deadline Approaching for Yonkers Seniors
Yonkers seniors looking to reduce their property tax burden should be aware that while the legal deadline to apply for the Senior Citizens Property Tax Exemption is October 15, 2025, the city encourages applications to be submitted by September 15, 2025 to ensure timely processing.
Understanding the 50% Property Tax Reduction
Local governments and school districts in New York State offer a significant benefit to qualifying senior citizens through a reduction in property taxes. This program accomplishes this by reducing the taxable assessment of the senior’s home by as much as 50%.
To qualify for the 50% exemption, seniors must:
- Be 65 years of age or older
- Meet certain income limitations and other requirements
The law allows each county, city, town, village, or school district to set the maximum income limit between $3,000 and $50,000.
Additional Sliding-Scale Options
Municipalities may adopt sliding-scale options to provide a benefit to seniors with incomes greater than the local maximum. Residents should check with their local assessor for the specific income limits and sliding scale percentages in their community.
How to Apply
- For First-Time Applications:
Visit: https://yonkers.seamlessdocs.com/f/RP467Initalwithwrkst25 - For Renewal Applications:
Visit: https://yonkers.seamlessdocs.com/f/RP467Renewalwithworksheet
Need Assistance?
Contact the Assessment Department:
- Phone: 914-377-6200
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Location: 40 South Broadway, Room 100, Yonkers, NY 10701
Additional Tax Relief Programs
Basic STAR:
To register for the Basic STAR program, contact NYS at 518-457-2036.
Note: 2025 Exemption Application Links are now open.
Enhanced STAR Exemption:
The 2025-2026 Enhanced State Budget has simplified the STAR program. Key changes include:
- Homeowners will no longer need to submit an application to the assessor if they had an ownership change or aged into the Enhanced STAR exemption
- Basic STAR recipients who turn 65 are automatically upgraded to Enhanced STAR
- ORPTS will automatically notify assessors of Basic STAR recipients who become eligible for Enhanced STAR
- Only one owner needs to be 65+ instead of all owners
- Income limits for 2025-2026: $107,300
More Information
For additional details about the Senior Citizens Exemption, visit: https://www.tax.ny.gov/research/property/assess/manuals/vol4/pt1/sec4_01/sec467.htm
