Year two of New York's tax "cap" law: still not 2 percent

In June 2011, New York state leaders responded to calls for property tax relief by enacting a law that placed new restrictions on how school districts (and municipalities) may increase their tax levies. 

Although often referred to as a “2 percent tax cap,” the law does not, in fact, restrict any proposed tax levy increase to 2 percent. It does, however, require at least 60 percent voter approval for a school budget if the proposed levy increase exceeds a certain amount. That amount, called the “tax levy limit,” is calculated by each district according to a complex formula outlined in the law, and varies by district.

Based on the state formula, Marcellus’ limit for the 2013-14 budget is a 3.97 percent increase in the tax levy.

To learn more about how the tax “cap” law works, click this link to watch a video produced by the Superintendents’ Legislative Committee.

Interested in reading more about the tax "cap"?

• Navigating through Year Two of New York’s Property Tax Levy Cap (PDF)
• Tax Levy Limit Calculation Fact Sheet (PDF)
• 3 Tax Levy Numbers Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Budget Vote Rules Fact Sheet (PDF)