Huntington Approves 4 New Property Tax Exemptions For Seniors, Military, Line-Of-Duty Families

HUNTINGTON, NY — The Huntington Town Board has officially adopted four property tax exemptions authorized under recent New York State legislation, expanding relief for low-income seniors, surviving spouses of fallen first responders and police officers, and active-duty military members serving in combat zones.

Supervisor Ed Smyth and the Town Board held stand-alone public hearings on Wednesday before voting to enact the exemptions into the Town Code. The measures passed 4-0-1, with Councilwoman Jennifer Hebert absent due to jury duty.

“These tax exemptions can make the difference between allowing people in vulnerable situations to keep their house or be forced to give up the only home they have ever had,” Smyth said. “Sometimes just a little boost can mean a world of difference. Our low-income seniors, families of fallen first responders, and military personnel who are in areas of conflict deserve our extra support, and I am proud to say we delivered that today.”

No public comments were made during the hearings, which were aired live on the Town’s public access channels.

Of the four exemptions, three are new to Huntington.

The Town already participates in the Senior Citizens Property Tax Exemption program for residents age 65 and older. Under the state amendment, the maximum allowable exemption increases from 50 percent to 65 percent for qualifying low-income seniors.

Current participants do not need to reapply. The Assessor’s Office is automatically reprocessing existing applications to reflect the higher exemption level. New applications received by March 1 will also be adjusted accordingly.

Three additional exemptions now available include:

• A 50 percent assessed value exemption for surviving spouses of firefighters or ambulance workers killed in the line of duty.
• A 50 percent assessed value exemption for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty.
• A partial exemption for active-duty military members serving in a presidentially designated combat zone. (This exemption applies only to Town and County taxes and cannot be combined with other veterans' exemptions.)

At a prior Town Board meeting, Huntington resident Lisa Tuozzolo, widow of NYPD Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo, spoke in support of the police surviving spouse exemption.

“This action reflects true compassion and meaningful support for families who have already sacrificed so much,” Tuozzolo said. “When my husband, Paul Tuozzolo of the New York City Police Department, was killed in November 2016, our lives changed forever. In the midst of unimaginable grief, the financial responsibilities of raising our young sons alone were overwhelming. This exemption provides real relief and stability.”

The South Huntington Board of Education also adopted corresponding real estate tax exemptions during a special meeting on Feb. 25, aligning with the Town’s action. State law requires school districts to hold public hearings and separately adopt such exemptions if they wish to apply them to the school district portion of property taxes.

The district approved:

• Tax exemption for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty.

• Tax exemption for surviving spouses of volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers killed in the line of duty.

• Partial property tax exemption for qualified senior citizens.

If a homeowner meets the Town of Huntington’s eligibility requirements, they will receive a partial tax break on the school district portion of their property taxes as well.

District officials said the adoption has no financial impact on the school district’s total levy, since the voter-approved tax levy amount will still be collected. Homeowners not part of the exempted groups effectively absorb the exemptions within the overall levy. The special school board meeting was convened to meet the Town’s March 1 filing deadline for exemption applications.

Councilwoman Therea Mari said the measures provide “meaningful relief to members of our Huntington community who need it most.”

Councilman Dr. Dave Bennardo called the vote “a small touch of the gratitude that we owe the men and women whose efforts secured our liberty.”

Councilwoman Brooke Lupinacci said the legislation formally recognizes “the lifelong contributions and profound sacrifices” made by military personnel, law enforcement officers, and seniors.

Although absent from the hearing, Councilwoman Jennifer Hebert issued a statement supporting the exemptions, saying they will provide “much-needed financial assistance to our most vulnerable residents and the families of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

Application Deadline

All four exemptions apply beginning with the 2026-27 tax season.

Applications are available immediately through the Town Assessor’s Office website.

Residents must meet New York State eligibility requirements and file no later than March 1, 2026. Applications received after that date will be denied. Some exemptions require annual refiling.

Applications may be submitted:

In person: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
By mail: Postmarked no later than March 1 (certified mail recommended).

Residents with questions about existing exemptions may contact the Assessor’s Office at 631-351-3226. General inquiries may be directed to 631-351-3000.