Village Offering Tax Exemption Sessions for Mineola Seniors

The Village of Mineola will soon be holding its regular series of office hours specifically for senior citizens to help them obtain the most exemptions possible on the village portion of their property taxes.

“Each year we offer a most generous package as possible for seniors on their assessment; they can get a senior exemption for part of their village taxes,” Mineola Village Clerk Joseph Scalero said during the regular meeting of the village board on October 3 at the village hall. “To aid that process – there is a significant application process – we hold Saturday hours for them.”

The workshops are scheduled for October 20, November 3, November 17 and December 8 at the village hall, lasting four hours each day, from 9 a.m. to noon. Walk-ins are welcome on Saturdays.

All information on the exemption is available at the tax clerk in the village clerk’s office in the village hall. The village clerk’s office also sends out letters with the application to all eligible each year, which were sent out via mail on October 2.

“Most of whom received it the prior year, they use that as a starting point and there’s also a graduated rate of median income,” Scalero said.

In order to obtain the exemption, seniors must fall within in a certain category of income and provide documentation of that income. Those seniors who fall below the income level of $37,400 may be eligible for a full or partial exemption. Income limits may also be adjusted to exclude unreimbursed medical expenses, including prescriptions.

Seniors are advised to bring their completed tax exemption application, which can be obtained at the village clerk’s office, as well as all pages of their 2011 federal tax return, verification of all 2011 income – including pension statements – their social security statement as well as W-2 form and fair market statements of earnings from IRAs or other tax deferred compensation plans. First-time applicants should also bring a copy of their deed, proof of age for all property owners and a copy of their village tax bill.