A decedent's surviving spouse is entitled to a homestead allowance of $22,500. If there is no surviving spouse, each minor child and each dependent child of the decedent is entitled to a homestead allowance amounting to $22,500 divided by the number of minor and dependent children of the decedent.
You may be eligible for the primary residential exemption if you occupy your home for 183 consecutive days or more in a calendar year.
Specifically, homestead laws allow individuals to declare a portion of their property as "homestead" and therefore protected from a forced sale. Under New York's homestead protection law, the amount property owners may declare exempt varies based on county location and range from $75,000 to $150,000.
Some properties, such as those owned by religious organizations or governments are completely exempt from paying property taxes. Others are partially exempt, such as veterans who qualify for an exemption on part of their homes, and homeowners who are eligible for the School Tax Relief (STAR) program.
You may be eligible for the primary residential exemption if you occupy your home for 183 consecutive days or more in a calendar year. The exemption applies to your house and up to one acre of land. Apartments, condos and mobile homes also qualify.
Homestead Exemption is an exemption of $1,000 of the assessed valuation. This can be a savings of $75 to $125 depending on which area of the county you are located.
The exemption is not entered anywhere on your federal income tax return. Homestead exemptions are usually filed at your county courthouse, at the tax assessor's office.