Key Takeaways
New York does not have a program called a “homestead exemption”; the STAR program fills that role for school taxes.
Nassau County homeowners may qualify for up to eight distinct property tax exemptions, depending on age, income, disability status, and military service.
Most exemptions stack; a qualifying senior veteran can hold Enhanced STAR, the Senior Citizens Homeowners Exemption (SCHE), and a Veterans Exemption at once.
Most county-administered exemptions have an annual application deadline in early January. Verify the current year’s deadline at nassaucountyny.gov before filing.
Filing a Nassau County tax grievance with Ownwell can reduce your assessment further, on top of any exemptions you hold.
If you’re looking for the “Nassau County homestead exemption” to lower your property taxes, you’ve come to the right place for an answer.
Here’s the most important thing to know: New York State does not have a property tax program called a “homestead exemption.” People sometimes call this a “NY homestead exemption,” but New York handles property tax relief through other programs.
Instead, New York offers several powerful tax relief programs that help offset the burden of Nassau County property taxes on your primary residence.
The most common of these is the School Tax Relief (STAR) program. This, along with exemptions for seniors, veterans, and other qualifying homeowners, is how you achieve the savings you’re looking for.
This guide will walk you through the real tax exemption programs available in Nassau County that can save you thousands.
What Is the Nassau County Homestead Exemption?
New York doesn’t offer a state-level homestead exemption. The closest equivalent is the STAR program, which reduces the school tax portion of your bill, along with other programs for qualifying homeowners.
Senior citizens receive a larger benefit, along with additional discounts for veterans, people with limited incomes and disabilities, volunteer firefighters, and those who complete home improvement projects.
What Are the Types of Exemptions You Can Apply For?
Exemption Type | Who It’s For | Key Eligibility Requirement |
|---|---|---|
Basic STAR program | All eligible homeowners | Household income must be under $500,000 (for the credit) or $250,000 (for the legacy exemption). |
Enhanced STAR | Seniors 65+ | |
Senior citizen | Age 65+ | Sliding scale based on lower income levels; the maximum is $58,400 |
Veterans | Qualified military veterans | Based on service period (wartime, combat zone, etc.). Not income-dependent. |
Persons with Disabilities (DHE) | Homeowners with a documented disability and limited income | Maximum household income is $58,400 (sliding-scale benefit). |
Volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers | Active volunteers with 2 years of service | Up to 10% exemption on assessed value |
Home improvement | Homeowners who make improvements during the tax year | 100% of the added assessment is exempt in the first year. Years 2–8, the exemption amount is reduced by 12.5% annually. |
Home Improvement (Physically Disabled) | Homeowners with a documented disability making accessibility improvements | No income limit; covers ramps, widened doorways, and bathroom modifications; remains in effect as long as the disabled resident lives in the home |
Note: Exemption benefits vary depending on whether they apply to county and town taxes, school taxes, or both. Veterans and Home Improvement exemptions may not apply to school taxes in all districts.
Unsure Which Exemptions You Qualify For?
The STAR Program
STAR is the most widely used property tax relief program in Nassau County. It specifically reduces the school tax portion of your property tax bill, which is often the largest part.
STAR Credit vs. STAR Exemption
It’s crucial to understand which version of STAR you are eligible for:
STAR Credit: If you bought after August 1, 2015, register with New York State. They mail an annual check for your school taxes.
STAR Exemption: If you have owned continuously since before August 1, 2015, you likely hold the older exemption, shown directly on your school tax bill.
The STAR exemption is closed to new applicants.
Basic STAR and Enhanced STAR
There are two levels to the STAR program:
Basic STAR: Available to any homeowner whose household income is below the limit ($500,000 for the credit; $250,000 for the exemption). Apply for this credit using Form RP-425-B.
Enhanced STAR: Larger savings for seniors (age 65+) with household income of $110,750 or less for the 2025–2026 tax year.
You can apply for the senior exemption on Long Island with Form RP-467.
If you already have the STAR exemption, you can upgrade to the Enhanced STAR program when you’re eligible.
Note that the STAR credit and STAR exemption aren’t awarded together. But you can generally apply multiple exemptions to the same property to increase savings. Learn how to calculate your Nassau County property taxes before and after exemptions to see your full potential savings.
Basic STAR removes approximately $30,000 from your school-taxable assessed value. Enhanced STAR removes approximately $88,500 for the 2026-2027 school year, which can translate to $300-$500 per year in savings for Basic STAR holders and $800–$1,500 for Enhanced STAR holders, depending on your school district’s tax rate.
New homeowners register for the STAR Credit online at tax.ny.gov/star or by calling (518) 457-2036. Registration is one-time; you don’t need to reapply each year.
Senior Citizens Exemption (SCHE)
The SCHE, or Nassau County senior citizen tax exemption, applies to homeowners aged 65 and older with limited income. Different localities in Nassau use a sliding scale of up to $58,400. This is often called the New York senior exemption.
The reduction is anywhere from 5% to 65% based on income. This requires an annual renewal or affidavit; however, a simplified process is available if you’ve held the exemption for five consecutive years.
The SCHE applies to county, town, and school taxes, so it reduces more of your bill than exemptions limited to one tax type. The income sliding scale works as follows:
Household Income | Exemption Percentage |
|---|---|
Up to $29,000 | 65% |
$29,001-$40,000 | 60%-50% |
$40,001-$50,000 | 45%-35% |
$50,001-$58,399 | 25%-5% |
Income includes all sources, including Social Security, pensions, and investment income, but you may deduct unreimbursed medical expenses and Veterans Disability Compensation.
Veterans Exemptions
To reward and recognize veterans for their service, the state of New York offers property tax exemptions to veterans. There are three available in Nassau County:
Alternative Veterans Exemption: For those who served during an active wartime period or received certain medals
Cold War Veterans Exemption: For anyone who served between September 2, 1945, and December 26, 1991
Eligible Funds Exemption: For those who used service-related funds, such as mustering out pay or military pension, to purchase their home
The Alternative Veterans Exemption reduces your assessed value by up to 15% for wartime service, plus an additional 10% if you served in a combat zone. The exemption applies to county and town taxes; school district participation is optional and varies by district.
To apply, file Form RP-458-a with the Nassau County Department of Assessment.
Persons With Disabilities and Limited Incomes Exemption (DHE)
Homeowners with a documented mental or physical disability who earn $58,400 or less may qualify for additional tax relief. They must submit an award letter to the Nassau County Department of Assessment, and the taxable value is reduced anywhere from 5% to 65%, depending on income. Full details are on the Nassau County exemption applications page.
Important: You cannot hold both the DHE and the Senior Citizens Exemption at the same time. If you qualify for both, choose the one that provides the greater benefit. You may still hold STAR independently of either.
Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Workers
Homeowners who serve as volunteer ambulance workers or firefighters for at least two years may also qualify for an additional exemption. This can be up to 10% of the home’s assessed value.
Approval requires that the property sit within the village, town, or city served by the department. You must file Form RP-466-a-vol with proof of residency and a Letter of Certification.
Volunteers who have served for 20 or more years qualify for a lifetime exemption, which continues even after they retire from active service.
Home Improvement Exemption
If you complete improvements worth at least $3,000 to your primary residence, Nassau County exempts 100% of the added assessment in the first year. The exemption then decreases by 12.5% per year over 8 years.
The maximum improvement value eligible for the exemption is $80,000. However, some school districts opt out of this program.
A separate, permanent exemption is available for accessibility improvements made by homeowners with a documented disability, such as ramps, widened doorways, and bathroom modifications. This exemption has no sunset; it remains in effect as long as the disabled resident lives in the home.
How to Apply for Nassau County Property Tax Exemptions
Applying for property tax exemptions in Nassau County requires knowing where to file and what documents to bring. The process differs depending on whether you’re filing for STAR (handled at the state level) or a county-administered exemption.
Determine your eligibility. Review the exemption types above and identify every program you qualify for.
Register for STAR if you haven’t already. New homeowners register at tax.ny.gov/star or call (518) 457-2036.
File county exemptions with Nassau County. Submit SCHE, Veterans, DHE, Volunteer, and Home Improvement applications to the county Department of Assessment.
Gather your documents before you file. Requirements vary by exemption type: SCHE: proof of age, proof of income (most recent federal tax return), and proof of primary residence. Veterans: DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). DHE: award letter from SSDI, SSI, or Railroad Retirement, or a physician’s certification of permanent disability. Volunteer: Letter of Certification from your department, plus proof of residency.
Meet the deadline. Most county exemptions must be filed by early January; always verify the current year’s exact deadline at nassaucountyny.gov before filing.
The Nassau County Department of Assessment is located at 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501.
Some exemptions, including SCHE and DHE, require annual renewal to confirm your income eligibility. Basic STAR is a one-time registration.
For additional tax relief beyond exemptions, you can file a Nassau County tax grievance through the Assessment Review Commission (ARC) to challenge your property’s assessed value. We can handle both exemption filings and grievances, so you don’t leave savings on the table.
How Much Are You Over Paying?
How to Stack Multiple Exemptions for Maximum Savings
Most Nassau County homeowners qualify for more than one exemption, and stacking them is where the real savings happen. A qualifying senior who is also a veteran can hold Enhanced STAR, the SCHE, and a Veterans Exemption all at the same time.
Here’s a worked example showing the impact on a Nassau County senior homeowner:
Before Exemptions | After SCHE (50%) + Enhanced STAR | |
|---|---|---|
Home market value | $650,000 | $650,000 |
Nassau effective tax rate | 1.55% | |
Estimated annual tax bill | ~$10,075 | ~$2,500–$3,100 |
Annual savings | N/A | $1,500–$2,100 |
Note: Actual savings depend on your school district’s tax rate and your exact assessed value. Nassau County uses fractional assessments, so the dollar impact varies by property.
Beyond exemptions, filing a tax grievance can reduce your assessed value directly. Our customers in Nassau County save an average of $1,462 per year, combining grievances and exemptions, with a 93% success rate.
The bottom line: if you’re a Nassau County homeowner, exemptions you’re already entitled to may be cutting your bill, but combining them with a tax grievance is the most powerful path to savings. Start by exploring your Nassau County savings options with Ownwell.
How Ownwell Can Help
We handle the full exemptions process for Nassau County homeowners, from identifying every program you qualify for to filing paperwork to monitoring your status year after year. All with no upfront cost; we only charge a fee if you save.
In New York, we can also retroactively apply for exemptions you missed in prior years, recovering savings you were entitled to but never received.
Our customers in Nassau County save an average of $1,462 per year
We maintain a 93% success rate on Nassau County grievances
No upfront cost, and no fee unless you save
Beyond exemptions, we file Nassau County tax grievances with the ARC on your behalf. We review comparable sales and assessment data before filing, so you only move forward when we see a real opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New York Have a Homestead Exemption?
New York does not have a property tax program called a “homestead exemption.” The closest equivalent is the STAR program, which reduces the school tax portion of your bill. New York also offers separate programs for seniors, veterans, and homeowners with disabilities that reduce your assessed value.
Can I Combine Multiple Nassau County Property Tax Exemptions?
Yes, you can stack most exemptions. A qualifying senior can hold Enhanced STAR, the SCHE, and a Veterans Exemption at the same time. The one exception: you cannot hold the SCHE and DHE together, so choose whichever provides the greater benefit.
What Happens if I Miss the Nassau County Exemption Application Deadline?
If you miss the early-January deadline, your exemption will not take effect until the following tax year. Use the extra time to gather your documents, proof of age, income records, and a DD-214 for veterans, so you’re ready to file when the next window opens.
How Does Ownwell Help Nassau County Homeowners With Exemptions?
We identify every exemption you qualify for, prepare and submit your applications, and monitor your tax status annually, all with no upfront cost. In New York, we can also retroactively apply for missed exemptions from prior years. Start your exemption check here.
