New York · New York City · Local exemptions · Updated Oct 2026
New York City, NY property tax exemptions (2026)
The property tax breaks that are set or run locally in New York City, on top of New York’s statewide rules: what each is worth here, who qualifies, where to apply and the deadline.
What is different in New York City
New York City's five counties (Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens and Richmond) form one assessing unit run by the Department of Finance, which sets its own versions of the state exemptions: SCHE for seniors and DHE for homeowners with disabilities, both with a $58,399 income limit and a sliding 5%-50% benefit as posted by DOF in October 2026. You apply to DOF (online September 28 – March 15), not to a town assessor.
Apply at
NYC Department of Finance – Property Exemptions
Phone
311
Local breaks
Senior Citizen Homeowners' Exemption (SCHE), Disabled Homeowners' Exemption (DHE), Alternative Veterans Exemption (NYC), Cold War Veterans Exemption (NYC)
Tax year
as posted by DOF, Oct 2026 (applications Sept 28, 2026 – March 15, 2027 are for the tax year starting July 1, 2027)
Reduces your home's assessed value by 5% to 50% depending on income (NYC version of RPTL 467).
Set by
city
Tax year
as posted by DOF, Oct 2026 (applications Sept 28, 2026 – March 15, 2027 are for the tax year starting July 1, 2027)
Who qualifies
All owners 65 or older (only one needs to be 65 if owners are spouses or siblings); owned the home at least 12 consecutive months (unless you had SCHE on your previous home); primary residence of all owners. You cannot get both SCHE and DHE.
Income limit
Total combined annual income of owners and spouse/co-owner: $58,399 or less. $50,000 or less: 50%; $50,001–50,999: 45%; $51,000–51,999: 40%; $52,000–52,999: 35%; $53,000–53,899: 30%; $53,900–54,799: 25%; $54,800–55,699: 20%; $55,700–56,599: 15%; $56,600–57,499: 10%; $57,500–58,399: 5%. Income = AGI minus taxable IRA distributions.
How to apply
File the SCHE initial application online with the Department of Finance (available September 28 – March 15) or by mail with the paper application.
Reduces your home's assessed value by 5% to 50% depending on income (NYC version of RPTL 459-c).
Set by
city
Tax year
as posted by DOF, Oct 2026 (applications Sept 28, 2026 – March 15, 2027 are for the tax year starting July 1, 2027)
Who qualifies
All owners must have a disability (only one if spouses or siblings), documented by an SSA, Railroad Retirement, Postal Service, NYS Commission for the Blind, Workers' Compensation or VA award; primary residence. Not available in Mitchell-Lama, limited-profit or limited-dividend housing companies. If you qualify for both DHE and SCHE, DOF gives you SCHE.
Income limit
Combined income of all owners and spouses $58,399 or less, same 50%-to-5% scale as SCHE.
How to apply
File the DHE initial application online (September 28 – March 15) or by mail.
15% off assessed value for wartime service (max $2,880 for tax class 1; $21,600 for classes 2 and 4); additional 10% for combat zone service (max $1,920 / $14,400); disabled veterans add 50% of the VA disability rating (max $9,600 / $72,000). Also applies to school taxes.
Set by
city
Tax year
as posted by DOF, Oct 2026 (applications Sept 28, 2026 – March 15, 2027 are for the tax year starting July 1, 2027)
Who qualifies
Veterans who served in a specified period of conflict, their spouse or unremarried surviving spouse, or a Gold Star parent; primary residence.
How to apply
Apply online (September 28 – March 15) or by mail with your DD-214 and, if disabled, your VA rating letter.
15% off assessed value (max $2,880 class 1; $21,600 classes 2 and 4); disabled Cold War veterans add 50% of the disability rating (max $9,600 / $72,000).
Set by
city
Tax year
as posted by DOF, Oct 2026 (applications Sept 28, 2026 – March 15, 2027 are for the tax year starting July 1, 2027)
Who qualifies
Veterans who served between September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991.
Each school district, city or other taxing unit can set its own amount. Find the ones on your tax bill.
Taxing unit
Type
Seniors
Disability
Veterans alt
Veterans cold war
Firefighter
Source
New York City – all five boroughs (one assessing unit, 2025 roll)
city
yes – granted here by at least one level of government (county, city/town, school district or village); 49,574 exemption records on the 2025 roll, not a count of homes
yes – granted here by at least one level of government (county, city/town, school district or village); 2,458 exemption records on the 2025 roll, not a count of homes
yes – granted here by at least one level of government (county, city/town, school district or village); 29,070 exemption records on the 2025 roll, not a count of homes
not shown in the state dataset for NYC (no 4115-4117 records), but the Department of Finance does offer the Cold War exemption – see above
no – not offered in New York City (none on the 2025 roll)
Roughly what an exemption could save you a year: the value it takes off, times your tax rate.
Eligibility finder for New York City
Answer a few questions to see which property tax breaks may fit you. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
Document checklist for New York City
Pick the breaks you plan to apply for. You get a checklist of forms, documents, steps and deadlines to print or keep on your phone.
Questions about property tax exemptions in New York City
What property tax exemptions are there in New York City?
New York City's five counties (Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens and Richmond) form one assessing unit run by the Department of Finance, which sets its own versions of the state exemptions: SCHE for seniors and DHE for homeowners with disabilities, both with a $58,399 income limit and a sliding 5%-50% benefit as posted by DOF in October 2026. You apply to DOF (online September 28 – March 15), not to a town assessor. Local breaks here: Senior Citizen Homeowners' Exemption (SCHE); Disabled Homeowners' Exemption (DHE); Alternative Veterans Exemption (NYC); Cold War Veterans Exemption (NYC).
Where do I apply for a property tax exemption in New York City?
NYC Department of Finance – Property Exemptions Phone: 311. Also: NYS Department of Taxation and Finance – STAR, which state program: STAR credit registration.
When is the deadline to apply in New York City?
Senior Citizen Homeowners' Exemption (SCHE): March 15 for the tax year beginning July 1 (next business day if a weekend/holiday) Disabled Homeowners' Exemption (DHE): March 15 for the tax year beginning July 1. Alternative Veterans Exemption (NYC): March 15 for the tax year beginning July 1. Cold War Veterans Exemption (NYC): March 15.
Is there an income limit for New York City’s local breaks?
Senior Citizen Homeowners' Exemption (SCHE): Total combined annual income of owners and spouse/co-owner: $58,399 or less. $50,000 or less: 50%; $50,001–50,999: 45%; $51,000–51,999: 40%; $52,000–52,999: 35%; $53,000–53,899: 30%; $53,900–54,799: 25%; $54,800–55,699: 20%; $55,700–56,599: 15%; $56,600–57,499: 10%; $57,500–58,399: 5%. Income = AGI minus taxable IRA distributions. Disabled Homeowners' Exemption (DHE): Combined income of all owners and spouses $58,399 or less, same 50%-to-5% scale as SCHE. Alternative Veterans Exemption (NYC): no income limit listed. Cold War Veterans Exemption (NYC): no income limit listed.
Do I have to reapply every year in New York City?
Senior Citizen Homeowners' Exemption (SCHE): Every two years (DOF sends a notice) Disabled Homeowners' Exemption (DHE): Every year. Alternative Veterans Exemption (NYC): not confirmed. Cold War Veterans Exemption (NYC): not confirmed.
Good to know in New York City
In New York City you apply to the Department of Finance, not to a town assessor; call 311 for help.
The Eligible Funds veterans exemption remains for veterans who bought with pension, bonus or insurance money; switching to the Alternative Veterans Exemption ends it permanently.
No county figure was available, so the estimate uses the New York median effective rate: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2020–2024 5-year estimates, tables B25103 (median real estate taxes paid, owner-occupied homes) and B25077 (median value, owner-occupied homes).