This article shall be known as the "Village of Ravena Disabled
Homeowner Tax Exemption Law."
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
SIBLING
A brother or sister, whether related through half blood,
whole blood or adoption.
PERSON WITH A DISABILITY
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
is certified to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits under the Federal Social
Security Act, or is certified to receive Railroad Retirement Disability
benefits under the Federal Railroad Retirement Act, or has received
a certification from the State Commission for the Blind and Visually
Handicapped stating that such person is legally blind.
An award letter from the Social Security Administration or the
Railroad Retirement Board or a certification from the State Commission
for the Blind and Visually Handicapped shall be submitted as proof
of disability.
Any exemption provided by this article shall be computed after
all other partial exemptions allowed by the law have been subtracted
from the total amount assessed; provided, however, that no parcel
may receive an exemption for the same tax purpose pursuant to both
this article and § 467 of the Real Property Tax Law.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary,
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 this article.
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
making application for exemption exceeds the sums authorized by the
provisions of § 459-C of the Real Property Tax Law. "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 the husband
or wife, their combined income may not exceed such sum, except where
the husband or wife, or ex-husband or ex-wife is absent from the property
due to divorce, legal separation or abandonment, then only the income
of the spouse or exspouse residing on the property shall be considered
and may not exceed such sum. Where title is vested in siblings, their
combined income may not exceed such sum. Such income shall include
Social Security and retirement benefits, interest, dividends, total
gain from the sale or exchange of capital asset which may be offset
by a loss from the sale or exchange of 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 foster grandparent
program, and any such income shall be offset by all medical and prescription
drug expenses actually paid which were not reimbursed or paid by insurance.
In computing net rental income and net income from selfemployment,
no depreciation deduction shall be allowed for the exhaustion or wear
and tear of real or personal property held for the production of income.
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 by 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 article.
C. Unless the real property is the legal residence 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 article 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.