Story perspectives

Mayor Sends 17,000 Tax Demand Letters, Releases Million-Property Spreadsheet

7/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

Mayor Mamdani’s administration mailed 17,000 letters demanding owners pay the second-home tax or prove exemption.
Commissioner Richard Lee said the letters target owners with homes in trusts, LLCs or outdated records.
Attorney Benjamin Williams said the city should have added a note and a list for properties above the $5 million threshold.
The city released a spreadsheet of nearly one million properties that may face the surcharge, listing council member Gale Brewer.

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Story summary

Mayor Mamdani’s administration mailed 17,000 letters demanding owners pay the second-home tax or prove exemption.
Commissioner Richard Lee said the letters target owners with homes in trusts, LLCs or outdated records.
Attorney Benjamin Williams said the city should have added a note and a list for properties above the $5 million threshold.
The city released a spreadsheet of nearly one million properties that may face the surcharge, listing council member Gale Brewer.