County plans to raise income levels for seniors to get tax break

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature plans to raise the maximum income levels for senior citizens to qualify for a tax break.

Right now seniors who earn less than $19,200 are eligible for discounts on their county taxes. That level hasn’t been changed since 2007. The new level would be increased by $2,000.

The county will have a public hearing at 4:25 p.m. on Sept. 24 for the proposal. The hearing will be at the County Clerks’ Building in the Legislative chambers at 3 South Main St.

Right now the county offers 50 percent off for seniors with household incomes up to $13,500. The sliding scale exemption drops to 20 percent off for seniors with annual incomes between $18,300 and $19,199. It’s 0 percent for seniors with incomes at $19,200 or above.

The new proposed schedule includes the following percentage exemptions:

50 percent off for incomes up to $15,500
45 percent off for incomes between $15,500 and $16,499
40 percent between $16,500 and $17,499
35 percent between $17,500 and $18,499
30 percent between $18,500 and $19,399
25 percent between $19,400 and $20,299
20 percent between $20,300 and $21,199
0 percent after $21,200