During a recent emergency meeting, legislators voted unanimously to waive renewal application requirements for Nassau residents who received the Senior Citizen tax exemption and Exemption for Persons with Disabilities in the 2020-21 tax year- as long as they are still eligible to receive the exemption, which is provided to residents with limited income, in 2021-22. Nassau County Executive Laura Curran signed the measure into law the same day.

The Legislature’s action eliminates the need for in-person visits to tax offices by recipients of these exemptions ahead of a Jan. 4, 2021 filing deadline amidst a winter spike in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. After New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued an executive order permitting counties to opt into this waiver, the eight members of the Legislature’s Minority Caucus co-introduced legislation on Monday, Dec. 21 to act upon the executive order.

“By eliminating the need for seniors and taxpayers with disabilities to visit their tax collectors to renew their exemptions, Nassau County is taking an important step to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect vulnerable communities,” Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D – Glen Cove) said. “This timely action is good for Nassau taxpayers and good for public health at a difficult time during the pandemic.”

“Nassau County remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting our most vulnerable residents and taxpayers during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) said. “I commend Governor Cuomo for granting Nassau County the ability to provide this assistance to our residents and thank my colleagues for taking swift action to implement this important change.”

“As we enter a period of the COVID-19 pandemic that public health experts predict will be particularly treacherous, it is essential for local governments to equip residents to weather the challenging weeks and months ahead,” Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan (Woodbury) said. “I’m glad that the Legislature worked so quickly to provide relief to our residents in a manner that makes it easier to stay safe by staying home.”