[Adopted 6-17-2009 by L.L. No. 3-2009]
NOTE: This resolution does not incorporate Real Property Tax Law § 459-c verbatim; certain sections of § 459-c have been omitted or modified for the Town of Massena real property tax exemption.
[Amended 11-18-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
Real property owned by one or more persons with disabilities, or real property owned by a spouse or both spouses, or by siblings, at least one of whom has a disability, and whose income, as hereafter defined, is limited by reason of such disability, shall be exempt from taxation for Town purposes to the extent as provided in the following schedule:
Annual Income Equal to but Less Than
Percentage Exempt
$29,000
50%
[1]
Editor's Note: Administrative errors in this section were revised by Res. No. 64 of 2009.
For purpose of this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
PERSON WITH A DISABILITY
A. 
One who has a physical or mental impairment, not due to current use of alcohol or illegal drug use, which substantially limits such person's ability to engage in one or more major life activities, such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working and who:
(1) 
Is certified to receive social security disability insurance (SSDI) or supplemental security income (SSI) benefits under the federal Social Security Act; or
(2) 
Is certified to receive Railroad Retirement Disability benefits under the federal Railroad Retirement Act; or
(3) 
Has received a certificate from the State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped stating that such person is legally blind; or
(4) 
Is certified to receive a United States Postal Service disability pension.
B. 
An award letter from the Social Security Administration or the Railroad Retirement Board or a certificate from the State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped or an award letter from the United States Postal Service shall be submitted as proof of disability.
SIBLING
A brother or a sister, whether related through half blood, whole blood or adoption.
Any exemption provided by this article shall be computed after all other partial exemptions allowed by law, excluding the school tax relief (STAR) exemption authorized by § 425 of the Real Property Tax Law, have been subtracted from the total amount assessed; provided, however, that no parcel may receive an exemption for the same municipal tax purpose pursuant to both this article and § 467 of the Real Property Tax Law.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Art. III, Senior Citizens Tax Exemption, in this chapter.
No exemption shall be granted:
A. 
If the income of the owner or the combined income of the owners of the property for the income tax year immediately preceding the date of making application for exemption exceeds the sum of $29,000. "Income tax year" shall mean the twelve-month period for which the owner or owners filed a federal personal income tax return, or if no such return is filed, the calendar year. Where title is vested in either spouse, combined income may not exceed such sum, except where the spouse or ex-spouse is absent from the property due to divorce, legal separation or abandonment, then only the income of the spouse or ex-spouse residing on the property shall be considered and may not exceed such sum. Such income shall include social security and retirement benefits, interest, dividends, total gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset which may be offset by a loss from the sale or exchange of a capital asset in the same income tax year, net rental income, salary or earnings, and net income from self-employment, but shall not include a return of capital, gifts, inheritances or monies earned through employment in the federal foster grandparent program. (In computing net rental income and net income from self-employment, no depreciation deduction shall be allowed for the exhaustion, wear and tear of real or personal property held for the production of income.)
[Amended 11-18-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
B. 
Unless the property is used exclusively for residential purposes; provided, however, that in the event any portion of such property is not so used exclusively for residential purposes but is used for other purposes, such portion shall be subject to taxation and the remaining portion only shall be entitled to the exemption provided by this section.
C. 
Unless the real property is the legal residence of and is occupied in whole or in part by the disabled person, except where the disabled person is absent from the residence while receiving health-related care as an inpatient of a residential health care facility, as defined in § 2801 of the Public Health Law, provided that any income accruing to that person shall be considered income for purposes of this section only to the extent that it exceeds the amount paid by such person or spouse or sibling of such person for care in the facility.
Application for such exemption must be made annually by the owner, or all of the owners of the property, on forms prescribed by the State Board, and shall be filed in such Assessor's office on or before the appropriate taxable status date; provided, however, that proof of a permanent disability need be submitted only in the year exemption pursuant to this section is first sought or the disability is first determined to be permanent.
At least 60 days prior to the appropriate taxable status date, the Assessor shall mail to each person who was granted exemption pursuant to this article on the latest completed assessment roll an application form and a notice that such application must be filed on or before taxable status date and be approved in order for the exemption to continue to be granted. Failure to mail such application form or the failure of such person to receive the same shall not prevent the levy, collection, and enforcement of the payment of the taxes on property owned by such person.
The provisions of this article shall apply to real property held in trust solely for the benefit of a person or persons who would otherwise be eligible for a real property tax exemption, pursuant to § 197-15 of this article, were such person or persons the owner or owners of such real property.