Senior Tax Exemption Clarity For MCS - SS Benefits Included In Income Requirements

MARGARETVILLE - In March 2025, the Margaretville Central School Board (MCS) adopted increased eligibility limits for its senior tax exemption.

The eligibility requirements permit individuals 65 and older with incomes below $39,799.99 to receive a sliding-scale exemption of up to 50%.

Although the board used language provided by Greene County, there was concern about interpretation.

“After adoption,” said MCS President Doris Warner, “It was brought to our attention that the language addressing social security income could be interpreted inconsistently.”

The section reads: any social security benefits not included in such federal adjusted gross income shall not be considered income and shall be used in determining eligibility for the exemption.

After discussion with the MCS attorney, the board submitted updated language in December. During the discussion, the assessor's office raised concerns, explained Warner.

“The assessor explained that excluding certain Social Security income from eligibility calculations could unintentionally expand the income thresholds well beyond what was originally intended,” said Warner, “In some scenarios, significantly higher income levels could have qualified for the 50 percent exemption, shifting a greater portion of the tax levy to other taxpayers.”

The board decided to heed the assessors' recommendations and not omit any social security benefits from income in determining status.

The new language reads: any social security benefits not included in such federal adjusted gross income shall be considered income and shall be used in determining eligibility.

“Because the assessor’s office administers exemption applications and maintains assessment data, they are best positioned to provide specific estimates regarding how many individuals may be affected and the projected impact on the tax base,” Warner concluded, “We worked closely with them to ensure the final language reflects both community support and fiscal responsibility.”