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."
Instead, New York offers several powerful tax relief programs that help offset the burden of Nassau County property taxes on your home 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 the actual way to 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.
Understanding Homestead Exemptions in Nassau County
New York doesn't offer a state-level homestead exemption. However, other policies offer a creditor homestead exemption equivalent to that in Nassau County, NY.
The state instead offers the School Tax Relief (STAR) program, designed to reduce the school tax burden of homeowners below income limits.
There is a larger benefit available for senior citizens, 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 for 2026 |
|---|---|---|
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+ | Household income limits: $107,300 (2025-26); $110,750 (2026-27) |
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 & limited income | Maximum household income is $58,400 (provides a 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. |
The STAR Program
The most widely used property tax relief program in Nassau County is STAR. 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 purchased your home after August 1, 2015, you must apply to New York State directly to receive the STAR benefit. The state will mail you a check (a "credit") each year, which you can then use to pay your school taxes. So, post-August 1, 2015 buyers get the credit.
STAR Exemption: If you've owned your home continuously since before August 1, 2015, you likely have the older STAR "exemption," which appears as a direct reduction on your school tax bill itself. The 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).
The application for this credit is Form RP-425-B.
Enhanced STAR: Offers a larger tax savings for senior citizens (age 65 and older) with a household income of $110,750 or less for the 2025-2026 tax year. If you already have Basic STAR, you can apply to upgrade to Enhanced STAR once you meet the age and income requirements.
You can apply for the STAR 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. The first step is to register for the basic credit.
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. For example, a resident may qualify for the New York STAR credit and the local senior exemption in the same 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.
The reduction is anywhere from 5% to 50% 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.
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: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
Persons With Disabilities and Limited Incomes Exemption (DHE)
Homeowners with a documented mental or physical disability who have an income of $58,400 or less may qualify for more 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 50%, depending on income.
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 be located within the village, town, or city served by the department, and the application must include proof of residency and a Letter of Certification.
How and When to Apply for Homestead Exemptions?
In Nassau County, you need to renew some property tax exemptions, such as the SCHE and DHE, annually. You generally don't need to file extra paperwork for property tax exemptions each year. Check your local municipality for specific information.
Applying for these savings requires proactive steps and attention to deadlines.
Key Deadline: For most exemptions administered by Nassau County (like Senior Citizen, Veterans, and DHE), the application deadline is January 2, 2026, to have the exemption apply to the following tax year's bills.
Note that some exemptions, like SCHE and DHE, require annual renewal to confirm your income eligibility.
If you use Ownwell to file a property tax exemption, we can help monitor your taxes every year and appeal or file corrections on your behalf.
If you're looking for additional property tax relief, you can also file a Nassau County tax grievance to reassess your property’s value. The process starts as you appeal a property tax assessment and continues with property tax appeals. Ownwell can help homeowners apply for homestead exemptions for that year and retroactively for up to two years across all U.S. states.
Real Savings, Real Experts
Understanding these programs is the first step, but ensuring your assessment is fair is just as important. You can calculate your property tax in Nassau County by subtracting exemptions from your taxable assessed value, then applying the tax rate. (For more info, access the STAR, PTC, and ARC portals.)
For example, a senior earning under $50,000 with a taxable assessed value of $200,000 would receive a 50% SCHE, so taxes apply to only $100,000.
If you believe your property is over-assessed or are unsure if you're receiving all the savings you deserve, Ownwell is here to help. We handle everything from checking your eligibility for exemptions to filing a tax grievance on your behalf.
Sign up in three minutes to let Ownwell maximize your savings!
