County proposes expanding tax exemptions for low-income seniors

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 February 2026 at 10:48 am

Income limit would stay at $24,700 but percentages of exemptions would go up

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is looking to increase the maximum exemptions for low-income seniors from 50 percent off their property taxes to 65 percent.

The county, however, isn’t proposing to increase the income limits for people 65 and older to be eligible for an exemption. That will remain at a $24,700 threshold.

The Legislature will have a public hearing at 4:25 p.m. on March 24 at the legislative chambers of the County Administration Building, 14016 Route 31 W.

The Legislature is proposing the following exemptions based on income levels:

$16,000 or less – 65 percent exemption
$16,000.01 to $16,999.99 – 60 percent exemption
$17,000 to $17,999.99 – 55 percent exemption
$18,000 to $18,999.99 – 50 percent exemption
$19,000 to $19,999.99 – 45 percent exemption
$20,000 to $20,999.99 – 40 percent exemption
$21,000 to $21,999.99 – 35 percent exemption
$22,000 to $22,899.99 – 30 percent exemption
$22,900 to $23,799.99 – 25 percent exemption
$23,800 to $24,699.99 – 20 percent exemption

Gov. Kathy Hochul in December signed legislation to allow local municipalities to increase the size of the exemptions from a maximum 50 percent to 65 percent.

“No New York senior should lose their home because they can no longer afford their property taxes,” Hochul said on Dec. 6 in announcing the higher exemption levels. “By signing this legislation, we are working to make New York more affordable for our seniors on fixed incomes and empowering them to age in place, at home, in the communities they know and love.”