For thousands of older homeowners in Westchester County, the burden of rising property taxes may soon ease significantly. County Executive Ken Jenkins signed legislation on November 2 that dramatically expands property tax relief for low-income seniors, raising the maximum exemption from 50 percent to 65 percent — a move designed to help vulnerable residents stay in the homes they’ve lived in for decades.
YONKERS, NY, UNITED STATES, November 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Westchester County Board of Legislators approved the measure on October 19, and the expanded exemption is scheduled to take effect March 1, 2027. The amount of relief a homeowner receives will depend on their annual income, with the highest benefit going to those earning the least.
Under the new income-based sliding scale, eligible seniors will receive the following exemptions, according to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance:
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- 65%: Less than $47,000.
- 60%: More than $47,000 but less than $48,000.
- 55%: More than $48,000 but less than $49,000.
- 50%: More than $49,000 but less than $50,000.
It’s important to note that the expanded exemption applies only to the county portion of property taxes, and the 65% figure is based on a property’s assessed value for applicable county taxes — not the homeowner’s entire property tax bill. That distinction means the savings, while real, will be limited to one slice of the overall tax burden.
Jenkins expressed his support for the legislation in an announcement on the Westchester County website, saying the expanded exemptions are intended to help vulnerable seniors who have spent much of their lives working and raising families in the county. He said the additional assistance would give longtime residents a better opportunity to remain in their homes as they age.
Eligible seniors who already receive the existing exemption will not need to reapply. Those who believe they qualify for the expanded exemption should contact their local assessor’s office to apply and confirm their eligibility.
While the expanded exemption will provide additional property tax relief for qualifying seniors, homeowners should also review their property assessments and check whether they qualify for other available exemptions. O’Connor works with homeowners to review property assessments, identify potential opportunities for property tax relief, and help them navigate the property tax grievance process.
About O’Connor:
O’Connor is one of the largest property tax consulting firms, representing 185,000 clients in 49 states and Canada, handling about 295,000 protests in 2024, with residential property tax reduction services in Texas, Illinois, Georgia, and New York. O’Connor’s possesses the resources and market expertise in the areas of property tax, cost segregation, and commercial and residential real estate appraisals. The firm was founded in 1974 and employs a team of 1,000 worldwide. O’Connor’s core focus is enriching the lives of property owners through cost-effective tax reduction.
Property owners interested in assistance appealing their assessment can enroll in O’Connor’s Property Tax Protection Program ™. There is no upfront fee, or any fee unless we reduce your property taxes; easy online enrollment only takes 2 to 3 minutes.
Patrick O’Connor, President
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Why it matters: This expansion moves beyond typical cost-of-living adjustments, directly targeting the affordability crisis that forces many longtime residents out of their communities as they age. For a high-cost county like Westchester, the policy could set a precedent for how local governments use property tax relief to preserve aging populations and neighborhood stability without raising taxes on other homeowners.
