N.Y. Real Property Tax Law Section 485-N
Residential-commercial exemption program


1.

Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a)

“Applicant” means any person obligated to pay real property taxes on real property for which an exemption from taxes under this section is sought.

(b)

“Benefit area” means the area within a municipality, designated by local law, to which an exemption, established pursuant to this section, applies.

(c)

“Commercial construction work” means the modernization, rehabilitation, expansion or other improvement of commercial use property or the portion of mixed-use property to be used for commercial purposes.

(d)

“Commercial purpose or use” means the buying, selling or otherwise providing of goods or services, including hotel services, or other lawful business or commercial activities permitted upon mixed-use property.

(e)

“Commercial use property” means real property on which will exist, after completion of commercial construction work, a building used for commercial purposes or use.

(f)

“Mixed-use property” means real property on which will exist, after completion of residential construction work or a combination of residential construction work and commercial construction work, a building or structure used for both residential and commercial purposes.

(g)

“Municipality” means any town, city, village or other taxing entity located in a county having a population of not less than sixty-five thousand three hundred ninety and not more than sixty-five thousand four hundred as determined by the federal decennial census for the year two thousand ten or in a county having a population of not less than ninety-eight thousand nine hundred and not more than ninety-nine thousand as determined by the federal decennial census for the year two thousand ten.

(h)

“Residential construction work” means the creation, modernization, rehabilitation, expansion or other improvement of dwelling units, other than dwelling units in a hotel, in the portion of mixed-use property to be used for residential purposes.

2.

(a) A municipality, other than a county or school district as provided in this section, may, by local law, provide for the exemption of real property in a designated benefit area from taxation as provided in this section. Subsequent to the adoption of such a local law, the county in which such municipality is located may, by local law, and any school district, all or part of which is located in such municipality, may, by resolution, exempt such property from its taxation in the same manner and to the same extent as such municipality has done.

(b)

Such local law shall provide for the appointment of a commercial/mixed use incentive board which shall be responsible for designating the benefit area to be exempt from taxation as provided in this section. The membership and composition of such board shall be set forth in local law. Such board shall present a plan to the local governing body concerning the various types of commercial and/or mixed-use properties which may be granted an exemption pursuant to this section. In addition such plan shall identify designated benefit areas, within which such exemption may be offered. In developing such plan the commercial/mixed use incentive board shall consider the planning objectives of the municipality and the necessity of the exemption to the attraction of commercial and mixed use development as identified by the municipality and the economic benefit to the area of providing exemptions to commercial and mixed-use properties. In instances where a municipality has previously designed a business district encompassing a defined area which was subject to public input and was approved by and received funding for economic development purposes from a state agency, the municipality may utilize the defined boundaries of such previously defined area, or a combination of such boundaries subject to review by the commercial/mixed-use incentive board.

3.

Upon the adoption of such a local law the commercial use property or mixed-use property that was converted, created, modernized, rehabilitated, expanded or otherwise improved, shall be exempt from taxation and special ad valorem levies as provided for in subdivision four of this section.

4.

(a) (i) For a period of twelve years following the approval of an application, the increase in assessed value of such property attributable to such conversion, creation, modernization, rehabilitation, expansion or other improvement shall be exempt as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph. Such exemption shall be computed with respect to the “exemption base”. The exemption base shall be determined for each year in which there is an increase in assessed value so attributable from that of the previous year’s assessed value.

(ii)

The following shall determine the computation of the tax exemption: Year of exemption Percentage of exemption 1 through 8 100% of exemption base 9 80% of exemption base 10 60% of exemption base 11 40% of exemption base 12 20% of exemption base (b) No such exemption shall be granted unless:

(i)

such conversion, creation, modernization, rehabilitation, expansion or other improvement was commenced subsequent to the date on which the municipality’s local law took effect; and

(ii)

the cost of such conversion exceeds the sum of ten thousand dollars or such greater amount as may be specified by local law.

(c)

For purposes of this section the term “conversion, creation, modernization, rehabilitation, expansion or other improvement” shall not include ordinary maintenance and repairs.

(d)

No such exemption shall be granted concurrent with or subsequent to any other real property tax exemption granted to the same improvements to real property, except, where during the period of such previous exemption, payments in lieu of taxes or other payments were made to the municipality in an amount that would have been equal to or greater than the amount of real property taxes that would have been paid on such improvements had such property been granted an exemption pursuant to this section. In such case, an exemption shall be granted for a number of years equal to the twelve year exemption granted pursuant to this section less the number of years the property would have been previously exempt from real property taxes.

5.

Such exemption shall be granted only upon application by the owner of real property on a form prescribed by the commissioner. Such application shall be filed with the assessor of the municipality or county having the power to assess property for taxation on or before the appropriate taxable status date of such municipality or county.

6.

If the assessor is satisfied that the applicant is entitled to an exemption pursuant to this section, he or she shall approve the application and such real property shall thereafter be exempt from taxation and special ad valorem levies as provided in this section commencing with the assessment roll prepared after the taxable status date referred to in subdivision five of this section. The assessed value of any exemption granted pursuant to this section shall be entered by the assessor on the assessment roll with the taxable property, with the amount of the exemption shown in a separate column. * NB Repealed September 23, 2024

Source: Section 485-N — Residential-commercial exemption program, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/RPT/485-N (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Mar. 23, 2024).

420–A
Nonprofit organizations
420–B
Nonprofit organizations
420–C
Exemption from local real property taxation of certain low income housing accommodations in a city having a population of one million or ...
421–A
Affordable New York Housing Program
421–B
Exemption of certain private dwellings, multiple dwellings and improvements from local taxation
421–C
Exemption of certain new multiple dwellings from local taxation
421–D
Exemption of multiple dwellings financed by the New York state housing finance agency from local taxation
421–E
Exemption of cooperative, condominium, homesteading and rental projects from local taxation
421–F
Exemption of capital improvements to residential buildings and certain new construction
421–FF
Exemption of capital improvements to residential buildings in cities with a population between twenty-seven thousand five hundred and twe...
421–G
Exemption from local taxation of certain multiple dwellings
421–H
Exemption of capital improvements to multiple dwelling buildings within certain cities
421–H*2
Exemption of capital improvements to residential buildings
421–I
Exemption of capital improvements to multiple dwelling buildings within certain cities
421–I*2
Exemption of capital improvements to multiple dwelling buildings within certain cities
421–J
Exemption of capital investment in multiple dwelling buildings within certain cities
421–J*2
Exemption of capital improvements to multiple dwelling buildings within certain cities
421–K
Exemption of certain multiple dwellings
421–L
Exemption of capital improvements to residential buildings in certain towns
421–M
Exemption of certain new or substantially rehabilitated multiple dwellings from local taxation
421–N
Exemption of capital improvements to multiple dwelling buildings within certain cities
421–O
Exemption of capital improvements to multiple dwelling buildings within certain cities
421–O*2
Exemption of capital improvements to multiple dwelling buildings within certain cities
422
Not-for-profit housing companies
423
Phase out of exemption for redevelopment company projects upon the cessation of the tax exemption granted pursuant to contract
424
Institute of arts and sciences
425
School tax relief (STAR) exemption
425–A
Abatement of county taxes in special assessing units
426
Opera houses
427
Performing arts buildings
428
Fraternal organizations
429
Real property used for professional major league sports
430
Interdenominational centers
432
Theatrical corporations created by act of congress
434
Academies of music
436
Officers of religious denominations
438
Trustees of a hospital, playground and library
440
Infant homes
442
Soldiers monument corporations
444
Historical societies
444–A
Historic property
446
Cemeteries
450
Agricultural societies
452
Veterans organizations
454
Indians
455
Exemption option
456
Municipal railroads
457
Exemption for first-time homebuyers of newly constructed homes
458
Veterans
458–A
Veterans
458–B
Exemption for Cold War veterans
458–C
Improvements to property of severely injured members of the armed forces of the United States
459
Persons who are physically disabled
459–A
Improvements to property made pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
459–B
Physically disabled crime victims
459–C
Persons with disabilities and limited incomes
460
Clergy
462
Religious corporations
464
Incorporated associations of volunteer firefighters
466
Volunteer firefighters and fire companies in villages
466–A
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–A*2
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–B
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–C
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–C*2
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–C*3
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–C*4
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–C*5
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–C*6
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–C*7
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–D
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–D*2
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–D*3
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–D*4
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–E
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–E*2
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–E*3
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–E*4
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–F
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–F*2
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–F*3
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–F*4
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–F*5
Un-remarried spouses of volunteer firefighters or volunteer ambulance workers killed in the line of duty
466–G
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–G*2
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–H
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–H*2
Un-remarried spouses of deceased volunteer firefighters or volunteer ambulance workers
466–I
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–J
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
466–K
Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers
467
Persons sixty-five years of age or over
467–A
Partial tax abatement for residential real property held in the cooperative or condominium form of ownership in a city having a populatio...
467–B
Tax abatement for rent-controlled and rent regulated property occupied by senior citizens or persons with disabilities
467–C
Exemption for property owned by certain housing companies or sublessees of the battery park city authority and occupied by senior citizen...
467–D
Assessment exemption for certain living quarters constructed to be occupied by a senior citizen or disabled individual
467–E
Rebate for owners or tenant-stockholders of one, two or three family residences or residential property held in the condominium or cooper...
467–F
Protective and safety devices tax abatement
467–G
Rebate for owners of certain real property seriously damaged by the severe storm that occurred on the twenty-ninth and thirtieth of Octob...
467–H
Partial abatement for certain rebuilt real property seriously damaged by the severe storm that occurred on the twenty-ninth and thirtieth...
467–I
Real property tax abatement
467–J
Exemption for certain residential properties located in certain counties
467–K
Senior citizen longtime resident exemption
467–K*2
Exemption for certain residential property required to participate in the federal flood insurance program
467–L
Rebate for owners of certain real property in the city of New York
468
Fire patrol and salvage corps
469
Assessment exemption for living quarters for parent or grandparent
470
Exemption for improvements to real property meeting certification standards for green buildings
472
Pharmaceutical societies
474
Dental societies
476–A
Railroad passenger stations
477
Tax exemption for industrial waste treatment facilities
477–A
Tax exemption for air pollution control facilities
478
Tax exemption for off-street parking facilities providing underground shelters
479
Fallout shelter facilities
480
Forest and reforested lands
480–A
Taxation of forest land
481
Taxation of land used for agricultural production
482
Quarantined lands
483
Exemption from taxation of structures and buildings essential to the operation of agricultural and horticultural lands
483–A
Farm silos, farm feed grain storage bins, commodity sheds, bulk milk tanks and coolers, and manure storage and handling facilities
483–B
Historic barns
483–C
Temporary greenhouses
483–D
Farm or food processing labor camps or commissaries
483–E
Anaerobic digestion facilities
484
Urban redevelopment corporations and companies
485
Nuclear powered electric generating facilities
485–A
Residential-commercial urban exemption program
485–B
Business investment exemption
485–C
Exemption from taxation of real property used in manufacture of steel in cities of fifty thousand or more persons
485–D
Water-works corporations
485–E
Empire zone exemption
485–F
Banking development districts
485–G
Infrastructure exemption
485–H
Residential investment exemption
485–I
Residential investment exemption
485–I*2
Residential investment exemption
485–J
Residential property improvement exemption
485–J*2
Residential investment exemption
485–J*3
Residential investment exemption
485–J*4
Residential investment exemption
485–J*5
Residential investment exemption
485–K
Residential investment exemption
485–L
Residential property improvement
485–L*2
Residential investment exemption
485–M
Residential investment exemption
485–N
Residential-commercial exemption program
485–O
New residential property exemption
485–P
Economic transformation area exemption
485–Q
Residential investment exemption
485–R
Residential redevelopment inhibited property exemption
485–S
Residential reassessment exemption
485–S*2
Residential reassessment exemption
485–S*3
Mixed use exemption program for villages
485–T
Owner occupied residential property exemption program
485–U
Class one reassessment exemption
485–V
Residential revaluation exemption
485–V*2
Residential and mixed-use investment exemption
485–W
Newly constructed single-family and multi-family residential exemption
486
Non-profit medical and dental indemnity, or hospital service corporations
486–A
Non-profit corporations operating as health maintenance organizations
487
Exemption from taxation for certain energy systems
487–A
Exemption from taxation of conservation improvements to certain residential premises
488
Retirement systems
488–A
Rehabilitation of certain class B multiple dwellings and class A multiple dwellings used for single room occupancy
489
Exemption from taxation of alterations and improvements to multiple dwellings to eliminate fire and health hazards

Accessed:
Mar. 23, 2024

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 485-N’s source at nysenate​.gov

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