PropertyTax forgiveness Programs in NYS-Is it in NYS Budget?

As Governor Cuomo's Executive Team review's their Executive Order Privilege-has the Long Island Primary Homeowner been included in Property Tax Forgiveness Programs? The answer is No-do you believe Property Tax Forgiveness Programs should be instituted on Long Island? Yes they should be. Here's why:

The original Executive Order declared on March 7, 2020-did not provide Property Tax Forgiveness Programs to help Primary Homeowners; with two possible regional programs dynamic assistance offerings: 1) Deferred Payment Programs with "Zero" percent interest assessed to help Homeowners make on-time payments within their 1/2 year property tax payments; and 2) Within Long Island's present Property Tax Collection Structure-new strategy will help to revolutionize a and assist Homeowners who are not earning income or enough income due to Executive Order requirements-by adding no fees to Homeowners who are using permutable or accepted Credit Cards to pay their Property Taxes on time.

Either of these suggestions can be Executive Ordered by the Governor or County Executive to require that Township's facilitate better Property Tax Collection Processes for Primary Homeowners negatively impacted by COVID 10 Pandemic Orders. As the Property Taxes are due on January 10th, 2020-immediate EO orders should be instituted because Property Tax Forgiveness Programs were not instituted for the May 31, 2020 Property Tax Requirement.

Now-we're into the 2nd Phase of EO' orders fighting the Pandemic, waiting for the results to see if present vaccinations are working or taking positive impact-but NYS and the County of Suffolk hasn't made the connection that Primary Homeowners have not received any "relief" from Property Tax deadline requirements. That's incredibly unjustified that Huntington, Babylon and Islip have not taken creative measures to immediately institute their Own EO measures (as they can declare Township Emergency Orders because the State is in State of Emergency). The Meer fact that Huntington has not taken the initiative to do this-after I received in the Mail my new required Property Tax Payment Coupon for January 10, 2021-is a sign that Huntington's Leadership needs to reflect and think outside the box to assist homeowners. Why the Township hasn't made this connection that Primary Homeowners are suffering and the budget can not be placed on our backs-is a call to their leaders to head back to work and draw something up.

Here's the suggestion again from a former Downstate Regional Planner from NYS Legislature at free cost- A; Create deferment payment program within each Property Tax 1/2 year payment at Zero percent interest for homeowners or B) removal of the fees associated or added to Homeowners who use more than one credit card or debit card to cover the full property tax payments for 1/2 year or annual payment.

Many of us can not make Full year property tax payments upfront this year due to reduced income aspects; and as the May 2020 1/2 year payment did not provide any "deferment aspects"; it's clear that "new ideas" of tax deferment must be considered to assist Primary Homeowners regardless of age. In doing this-The Townships are taking Pro-Active Steps to reduced the number of Homeowners (Primary) who might be facing foreclosure from the beginning of the Pandemic through Now. The Township Property Tax collections throughout Suffolk County has the population requirements to be more creative and open minded in their approaches and instituting deferment to help Primary Homeowners manage the collection of their Property Taxes-these are the individuals regardless of age, disability status, sex-who are the weakest class of homeowner. Property Tax Forgiveness forbeance programs are not available within the Townships-including Huntington due to Legislators not taking Pro-Active Measures.

What can be done by Huntington to ensure more Pro-Active Measures transpire-you need to reach out to the Governor today-through January 6th-as the State of the State proposal is scheduled and voice your support for Maryann Maltese's recommendations above to assist People-Homeowners-includes Condo Owners with Property Tax Deferred Programs without Penalties. Those who are Cooperative Owners-you have Business Model which has a different property status-you and your Board of Directors can also seek the same relief above if the Cooperation has 80% Majority of Members supporting the above. These suggestions are to support reduction of foreclosures in our Communities. Which County or City can we look to-to assist us with innovative Property Tax Management-NYC-they collect Property Taxes 4x a year as to help ease the burden of costs on Primary Homeowners. NYC is not lazy in their management of such property tax collections-as a model of tax collections-I have provided a wonderful suggestion to help Homeowners keep their homes.

Maryann Maltese, is a licensed Real Estate Associate with Cow Harbor-Weichert; and is a Tenured Downstate Regional Communications Manager and Chief of Staff for 18 years with expertise in Real Estate as well as Property Tax Exemptions. Additionally-Maryann has 30 years of Campaign Management Experiences in an array of areas to assist you in your new or next real estate venture. You can reach Maryann @ Maryann@CowHarbor Realty or 631-644-5765