As County Residents Face Rising Heat Prices, County Executive Latimer Announces Suspension of Sales Tax on Home Energy Costs

As County Residents Face Rising Heat Prices, County Executive Latimer Announces Suspension of Sales Tax on Home Energy Costs

View full press conference here: https://youtu.be/zUeO-PC0LRk

Ensuring residents aren’t left out in the cold, and can save some much needed dollars during the Winter months, County Executive George Latimer proposed – and the Board of Legislators subsequently passed – a suspension of sales tax on home energy costs. The exemption will run from December 1-February 28.

Latimer said: “Westchester County Government is constantly looking to find ways to make the lives of residents a little easier. This winter, heating your home will now cost you a little less. As we all face rising costs in our daily lives, this suspension of certain sales tax will add extra dollars to the wallets of those who call Westchester home.”  

The sales tax suspension covers home heating oil, propane, natural gas, electric, coal and wood for residential heating purposes and covers homeowners as well as rental units. Landlords and renters will be eligible depending on the structure of the unit’s heat and electric use.

The initiative is administered by the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance; the vendors will not be assessing sales tax as directed by the State. The sales tax will automatically be taken off the bill.  If you are being charged sales tax for any home energy item starting December 1 please contact the County. 

This measure is in addition to the myriad of actions taken by the Latimer Administration and the Board of Legislators to combat rising inflationary costs nationwide. Those actions include the capping of sales tax on gasoline purchases, waiving of fees at certain parks and pools and – most notably – suspending fares on Bee-Line buses for the summer months.

Board of Legislators Chairwoman Catherine Borgia said: “With a low fuel supply and temperatures expected to be colder than usual, home heating costs will be through the roof this winter. Thankfully through the County's home energy cost reduction relief, more families will stay warm and keep their heads above water.”

Latimer made the announcement at the home of Omar Lopez and Grace O’Shaughnessy in Ossining.

Lopez said: “Thanks to the leadership of County Executive Latimer and the Board of Legislators our family will have an easier time keeping our home warm for the winter while saving much needed money at the same time.”