Working Families

Property taxes are choking communities across New York. We need a real solution to the property tax crisis, one that gives relief to working families who need it most without jeopardizing our schools.

It’s a daunting challenge, but one we can meet if we take a step back and look at how New York got where it is today.

Over the last 25 years, the wealthiest 1% of New Yorkers have seen their taxes cut in half. When the rich don’t pay their fair share, everyone else has to pick up the tab - often in the form of higher property taxes.

In New York, the shift away from a progressive income tax has gotten so bad that only Texas relies on regressive local taxes (like property taxes) more than New York.

What’s the answer? Give working families with unaffordable property tax bills a targeted tax cut and pay for it by partially repealing tax giveaways for the rich. The idea is called a “circuit breaker,” here’s how it works:

When your property tax bill reaches a fixed percentage of your income, you get a tax rebate from the state. Use the WFP’s Tax Plan Calculator to see how much your family would save.

This August, the WFP’s campaign for real tax solutions won a huge victory when the State Assembly passed a groundbreaking “circuit breaker” bill. But Senate Republicans have blocked the legislation’s progress - they’re putting the interests of the wealthiest 1% of New Yorkers over the millions of homeowners who’d see help under the WFP’s plan.