City of Rochester
News Release
Mayor Evans Announces Historic
Decrease in City Property Tax Rate
Announcement Coincides with NYS Increase in STAR Tax
Credits for Rochester Residents
(Tuesday, May 7, 2024) – As the City of Rochester
prepares to unveil its fiscal year 2024-25 budget later this week, Mayor Malik
D. Evans and a majority of City Council members today announced a citywide
residential property tax rate decrease of 37.7%, from $17.84 to $11.11 per thousand,
reflecting a $4.06 city property tax rate and $7.05 city school tax rate.
Mayor Evans is proposing to keep the tax levy flat for the
third straight year, and with the increase in assessed values across the city,
the drop in tax rate per thousand dollars of assessed value is the largest
decrease in recent history.
“As we have promised from the start, the increase in
property values across the city is a good thing for our residents, business
owners and Rochester as a whole,” said Mayor Evans. “We are experiencing
increased property values, an historic decrease in our property tax rate, and
an increase in available tax credits from New York State.”
“Vice President Harris and Councilmembers Gruber, Monroe and
Patterson all joined me in outlining our ‘Pact with the People’ of Rochester –
calling for Safer Neighborhoods, Quality Housing and Equitable Access to
Opportunity. This significant cut to the tax rate means that homeowners in our
city will not face an inequitable burden from rising property values,” said
City Council President Miguel Meléndez. “Equity in all we do is critical
in managing Rochester’s City government, and a lower tax rate for all is an
important and equitable outcome. Mayor Evans and his team have worked hard
to bring this tax rate cut to benefit the people of Rochester and I thank them
for their work.”
The reduction in the tax rate is a direct result of Mayor
Evans’ commitment to completing a comprehensive reassessment of all properties.
Had the City paused the reassessment, city homeowners would have faced an
increased tax rate.
Residential property owners who saw a 60% or lower increase
in their assessed value will see a decrease in total property taxes – even with
an increased value. Property owners who experienced a higher than 60% increase
in value may see an increase in taxes, but the increase will be lower than
originally estimated given the significant decrease in the new tax rate. In
addition, many property owners will benefit from increased tax credits from New
York State.
As a result of the
reassessment, last week, New York State confirmed that the School
Tax Relief (STAR) program has significantly increased the benefit for
qualified homeowners in Rochester. The Enhanced STAR credit is now $71,570 (up
from $50,170), and the Basic STAR credit is now $25,560 (up from $18,490).
The 42% increase in
Enhanced STAR benefits significantly reduces the tax burden on Rochester’s
seniors. In addition to STAR credits, seniors and veterans can
also qualify for tax exemptions.
“Now that the reassessment is complete and the tax rate
calculated, we can shift our focus to ensuring that Rochester homeowners are
aware of and sign up for the valuable benefits available through local and
state tax credit and exemption programs,” said Mayor Evans. “We will also
expand offerings from the City’s Office of Financial Empowerment to increase
awareness among homeowners of the other benefits of the increased value of
their properties.”
The City of Rochester’s 2024-25 fiscal year budget proposal
will be unveiled on Friday, May 10, and will include the new residential tax
rate of $11.11. However, the rate may adjust by one or two cents in either
direction once all formal reassessment challenges are completed, including
Small Claims (SCAR) actions and RPTL Article 7 Tax Certiorari proceedings.
The outcomes of informal challenges and Board of Assessment Review (BAR)
complaints have been decided and are included in the formula that resulted in
the new lower tax rate. The final rate will be known by the time City Council
votes on the new budget, in its June 2024 meeting.
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The Administration of Mayor
Malik D. Evans strives to create a safe, equitable and prosperous Rochester
by inspiring hope and delivering opportunity for everyone. Guided by the
Administration’s Mission, Vision and Values and the principles of the “Rochester
2034” comprehensive plan, City employees are committed to providing
exceptional customer service, transparent stewardship, and collaborative
leadership to foster a vibrant community that empowers personal, professional
and generational growth for all who live, work or play in the city of
Rochester.