Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order that allows Nassau County to delay the deadline for second-half of 2019-20 school district taxes without interest or penalties on Monday.
Curran said Cuomo’s executive order authorizes the county to enact a one-time extension of the deadline from May 11 to June of this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“In accordance with Governor Cuomo’s executive order, I have issued a Nassau County executive order to officially enact the extension, thereby waiving any interest and penalties until June 1, 2020,” Curran said. “This effort will provide some temporary relief for Nassau’s taxpayers, while we wait for possible assistance from the federal government.”
As of now, Curran said, too many taxpayers are uncertain about the state of the economy and their livelihoods, and touted the importance of filing an extension throughout the pandemic. Curran said the relief will provide a “much needed temporary relief” for taxpayers during this pandemic.
Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth also requested the state issue an executive order to delay property tax payments. The Towns of Hempstead and Oyster Bay reiterated the call for an executive order, Curran said, which means every township in Nassau County is now on board with a plan for the extension of the deadline.
“Along with assisting the Town in this particular request, County Executive Curran has worked tirelessly to ensure that the residents of Nassau County have the resources they need and deserve,” Bosworth said. “I would like to sincerely thank her for the leadership she has demonstrated throughout this public health crisis.”
Kyle Strober is the executive director for the Association For a Better Long Island, a leading regional economic development advocacy group. Strober called the property tax extension “essential” to the island’s response to the pandemic.
As executive and legislative branches negotiate the best path forward, it is important to recognize that this action will create a modest but important relief valve for property owners, especially businesses where every added day could mean the difference between survival or failure,” Strober said. “We are encouraged by today’s announcement and urge all due speed in reaching a consensus.”
The association’s President, Kevin Law, echoed Stober’s remarks and touted Curran’s efforts to prioritize local businesses and families throughout the pandemic.
“While we are hopeful and pushing for aid from the federal government, any step that can be taken now to add some relief should be taken,” Law said. “I thank County Executive Laura Curran for advocating on behalf of our hard-hit communities.”
Earlier on Monday, the Nassau County Legislature unanimously voted to extend the deadline for filing property taxes without interest or penalties until June 10.
“Officials at every level of government should be looking for ways to ease crushing financial burdens on residents and businesses as they struggle to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak,” Presiding Officer Rich Nicolello (R-New Hyde Park) said. “With thousands of residents out of work and many businesses shuttered or having their operations drastically reduced, this extension will provide additional time to pay their property taxes without being hit with interest and penalties.”
Curran was also appointed by Cuomo to serve on the state’s Reimagine New York Task Force. According to officials, the task force consists of leaders dedicated to not just reopening the state’s economy, but reimagining and improving on already existing state policies to make businesses and transportation better than they were before the pandemic.
