Council Weighs Full Property Tax Break for Disabled Veterans

Introduction 1051 would let New York City exempt disabled veterans' primary residences from 100% of covered property taxes, but it remains pending in committee.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Military

Economist-geometric style is not named here; bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single brick rowhouse facade with a bare door and stone step, set against a cream sky. — New York City Council is weighing Introduction 1051, a bill that would let the city fully exempt disabled veterans' primary residences from covered property taxes, but it remains stalled in committee. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should New York City exempt disabled veterans from all property taxes?

New York State now allows local governments to exempt disabled veterans' primary residences from 100% of covered property taxes. New York City has not yet adopted the option, and Council Member Frank Morano's Introduction 1051 remains pending as of November 1.

Why it matters

The exemption is optional for each locality, so the city's decision determines whether qualifying disabled veterans in New York City can receive the full benefit. New York City already offers partial property tax exemptions for eligible veterans, so the pending bill would expand existing relief.

Governor Kathy Hochul signed the state law on December 19, 2025, and it allows counties, cities, towns, villages and school districts to opt in. Qualifying veterans must be permanently and totally disabled because of military service, as confirmed by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs documentation, but the City Council has not voted on the bill.

The players

Frank Morano

Council Member Frank Morano represents a New York City council district and introduced Introduction 1051 to extend the full exemption citywide.

Kathy Hochul

Kathy Hochul is the Governor of New York, who signed the state legislation enabling local governments to offer the exemption.

The details

Introduction 1051, introduced by Council Member Frank Morano on September 10, would make the full exemption available citywide. The Council's Veterans and General Welfare committees held a joint hearing on October 21, after which the bill was left in committee without a vote. Homeowners must apply and submit required documentation to receive the exemption.

- December 19, 2025: Governor Hochul signed the state legislation enabling the exemption.
- September 10: Morano introduced Introduction 1051.
- October 1: Possible taxable status date for assessment rolls if the exemption is adopted.
- October 21: Joint committee hearing held; the bill was left without a vote.
- November 1: Introduction 1051 confirmed still pending.

Political Context

The state law gives localities discretion, so New York City's choice stands apart from neighboring jurisdictions that have not yet acted on the same option. Morano's bill would convert that statewide permission into a citywide benefit only if the Council moves it out of committee.

If the Council adopts the exemption, eligible disabled veterans who own their primary residence in New York City could pay no covered property taxes on that home. Homeowners would need to apply and submit the required documentation to receive the benefit.

The takeaway

Disabled veterans in New York City should watch Introduction 1051 in the Council, since the full exemption depends on a city vote rather than the state law alone.