N.Y. Real Property Tax Law Section 485-Y
Vacant residential real property improvement exemption

  • certain cities

1.

Construction of improvements to residential real property, provided that such real property was continuously vacant for a period of at least three years prior to such construction, initiated on or after January first, two thousand twenty-five in a city with a population of not less than seven thousand fifty and not more than seven thousand sixty, determined in accordance with the two thousand twenty census, may be exempt from city taxation as provided in this section.

2.

(a)(i) During the construction period, such real property shall be fully exempt from city taxation, up to a period of eighteen months or until a certificate of occupancy is issued, whichever is sooner, on all city taxation. For the purposes of this section, the term “construction period” shall mean the period of time beginning on the date which the actual construction of improvements to vacant residential real property, pursuant to subdivision one of this section, lawfully begins in good faith and ending on the date a certificate of occupancy has been issued.

(ii)

(A) Upon the termination of the exemption provided for under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, such real property shall be exempt for a period of one year to the extent of eighty per centum of the assessed value thereof and for an additional period of three years, provided, however, that the extent of such exemption shall decrease by twenty per centum each year during such additional period of three years and such exemption shall be computed with respect to the “exemption base”. For the purposes of this section, the term “exemption base” shall mean the assessed value as determined by the assessor in the initial year of such four-year period following the termination of the exemption provided for under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph. (B) The following table shall illustrate the computation of the city tax exemption: Year of exemption Percentage of exemption 1 80 2 60 3 40 4 20 (C) Exemptions granted pursuant to this section shall apply to real property taxes imposed for city purposes.

(b)

No such exemption shall be granted unless:

(i)

such construction of improvements was commenced on or after the first day of January, two thousand twenty-five or such later date as may be specified by local law;

(ii)

the residential real property is situate in a city with a population of not less than seven thousand fifty and not more than seven thousand sixty, determined in accordance with the two thousand twenty census; and

(iii)

such construction is documented by a building permit, if required, for the improvements, or other appropriate documentation as required by the assessor.

3.

Such exemption shall be granted only upon application by the owner of such real property on a form prescribed by the commissioner. Such application shall be filed with the assessor of a city with a population of not less than seven thousand fifty and not more than seven thousand sixty, determined in accordance with the two thousand twenty census, on or before the appropriate taxable status date of such city and within one year from the date of completion of such construction of improvements.

4.

If the assessor is satisfied that the applicant is entitled to an exemption pursuant to this section, they shall approve the application and such real property shall thereafter be exempt from taxation and special ad valorem levies by a city with a population of not less than seven thousand fifty and not more than seven thousand sixty, determined in accordance with the two thousand twenty census, as provided in this section commencing with the assessment roll prepared after the taxable status date referred to in subdivision three 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.

5.

In the event that real property granted an exemption pursuant to this section ceases to be used primarily for eligible purposes, the exemption granted pursuant to this section shall cease.

6.

A city with a population of not less than seven thousand fifty and not more than seven thousand sixty, determined in accordance with the two thousand twenty census, may, by local law, establish a date for the commencement of effectiveness of the exemption offered pursuant to this section. A copy of all such local laws shall be filed with the commissioner and the assessor of the city.

Source: Section 485-Y — Vacant residential real property improvement exemption; certain cities, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/RPT/485-Y (updated Dec. 27, 2024; accessed Jan. 18, 2025).

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 421‑P
Exemption of newly-constructed or converted rental multiple dwellings 421‑P*2
Exemption of capital improvements to residential new construction involving the creation of accessory dwelling units 421‑PP
Exemption of newly converted or constructed fully income restricted rental multiple dwellings 421‑Q
Exemption from taxation for capital improvements to residential buildings to reduce carbon emissions 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 466‑L
Extension of benefits 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 467‑M
Exemption from local real property taxation of certain multiple dwellings in a city having a population of one million or more 467‑N
Assessment relief for disasters 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 485‑X
Affordable neighborhoods for New Yorkers tax incentive 485‑Y
Vacant residential real property improvement 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
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Accessed:
Jan. 18, 2025

Last modified:
Dec. 27, 2024

§ 485-Y’s source at nysenate​.gov

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