City of Rochester adds free workshops to help seniors learn how to save money on property taxes

Rochester, New York – Rochester homeowners who are 65 or older, or who will reach that age by the end of 2027, have more opportunities to learn about property tax savings through a series of free city workshops.

The City of Rochester has added two workshops to its schedule for residents who want to learn more about the Senior Citizen Tax Exemption and other programs that could reduce their property tax costs.

The sessions are designed to do more than simply explain the available benefits. After a presentation, city staff will be available for one-on-one assistance. Homeowners can ask questions about eligibility, find out which documents they need and get help completing an application.

The Senior Citizen Tax Exemption is available under New York State Real Property Tax Law Section 467. Depending on a homeowner’s circumstances, the exemption can reduce the assessed value of a home by as much as 50% for City, County and school taxes.

In Rochester, eligibility and the amount of the exemption are based in part on household income. Homeowners with annual income of up to $58,400 may qualify for a partial exemption.

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The workshops will also cover Enhanced STAR, another New York State property tax benefit that may be available to eligible homeowners. City staff will explain how the programs work and help residents determine which benefits may apply to them.

For people who are unsure where to begin, the one-on-one portion of the workshops could be especially useful. Assessment staff will be available after the presentations to answer questions and help residents with the application process.

To qualify for the Senior Citizen Tax Exemption, an applicant generally must be at least 65 years old by Dec. 31, 2027. In cases where a property is jointly owned, at least one spouse or sibling owner must meet the age requirement.

The homeowner must also own and occupy the property as a primary residence and meet the income requirements. The exemption must be applied for and renewed annually.

Residents planning to attend are encouraged to bring documents that can help city staff determine eligibility and complete the application.

Proof of age can include a birth certificate, driver’s license or passport. Homeowners should also bring proof of income, such as their 2025 federal income tax returns or year-end 1099 income statements. Proof of property ownership may also be requested.

The city says workshop participants will receive additional information about preparing for Rochester’s next property assessment, which is scheduled for 2028.

The first workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the City Hall Atrium, 30 Church Street. American Sign Language interpreters will be available at that session.

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A second workshop is scheduled from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Ryan R-Center, 530 Webster Avenue.

The newly added third workshop will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Adams R-Center, 85 Adams Street.

All three workshops are free.

Homeowners who cannot attend any of the sessions do not have to wait until the next workshop to ask questions. The city has established a Senior Exemption Hotline at 585-428-6994. The hotline is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Residents can also find information about the exemption and other assessment-related matters on the city’s website.

The application deadline for the Senior Citizen Tax Exemption is Feb. 1, 2027. City officials are encouraging eligible homeowners to apply early rather than waiting until the annual deadline.

For seniors and other eligible homeowners, understanding the rules can make a difference when planning household expenses. The workshops give residents an opportunity to learn about the available tax relief, review their individual circumstances with city staff and get help with the paperwork before the application deadline arrives.