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Galef Supporting Tax Relief On Middle Class

OSSINING, N.Y. -- Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (D-Ossining) said she is fighting for property tax relief.

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (D-Ossining).

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (D-Ossining).

Photo Credit: File Photo

Galef and state Sen. Betty Little, an upstate Republican, recently announced their support in the upcoming legislative session for the recommendation by the New York State Tax Relief Commission to implement a middle-class circuit breaker/property tax credit based on ability to pa , according to a release. Galef and Little said they have worked on establishing a middle class circuit breaker since 2006.

The middle-class circuit breaker would "create a personal income tax credit for a portion of residential real property taxes, which exceeds a certain percentage of the household gross income," according to the release. The legislation would establish a cap on the maximum real property tax paid for New Yorkers who have a household adjusted gross income of $250,000 or less, according to the release. 

“I’m very pleased the Governor’s Tax Reform Commission is recommending a ‘circuit breaker’ form of tax relief, which I sponsor legislation to do,” said Little in the release. “Several similar proposals have been introduced in the Legislature in recent years, so much of the work has been done on developing the concept. The point is to direct more of the relief to those most needing it, such as seniors living on fixed incomes who are unable to afford to pay high property taxes. We also need to do more on mandate relief and find other ways to reduce the tax burden, but this is a measure that would help now and target those whose property tax bills are exceeding their ability to pay.”

Galef agreed. 

“I believe the most effective, fair, property tax relief program would be through a middle class circuit breaker. Now that New York State is seeing a more positive economic outlook, this is the perfect time to start this program and give significant relief to middle-class taxpayers,” said Galef in the release. “As a longtime proponent of sharing services and consolidating government entities, I was also pleased to see this proposed in today’s recommendations as well. I urge Governor Cuomo and my colleagues to make this a priority in the 2014 legislative session.”

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