As Nassau residents and businesses struggle to cope with the financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, which has halted almost all economic activity in the county, Majority Legislators have submitted an emergency resolution to give residents and businesses until June 11th to pay property taxes without interest or penalties.
Under current law, the deadline for paying taxes is May 11th, 2020. Residents and businesses that pay their property taxes after May 11th, are hit with an extra interest payment. If they pay after May 31st they must also pay penalties.
Earlier this week, members of the majority joined with Supervisors Donald Clavin of Hempstead and Joseph Saladino of Oyster Bay to ask Governor Andrew Cuomo to extend the deadline for residents to pay their school taxes by 30 days. To date, the governor has not responded to this request. By delaying the interest and penalties, the county can accomplish the same result without state action.
Legislators will seek an emergency vote on this measure on Monday, April 20th. The emergency would require thirteen votes to pass.
“Officials at every level of government should be looking for ways to ease crushing financial burdens on residents and businesses as they struggle to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak,” Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello said. “With thousands of residents out of work and many businesses shuttered or having their operations drastically reduced, this extension will provide additional time to pay their property taxes without being hit with interest and penalties.”