Commissioner Lee on FY27 budget, auditor hiring, lien sale pause, and pied-a-terre surcharge
Lee outlines the $373.85 million FY27 executive budget, onboarding 50 auditors increasing audit revenue by $50 million, the paused 2026 tax lien sale, and plans to implement the pied-a-terre surcharge.
Looking ahead, we have several priorities for the coming year.
The first, as always, is the efficiency of our own operations.
DOS fiscal year 27 executive budget is $373.85 million.
This is a slight change from the preliminary budget and reflects the savings that I referenced earlier.
We are in the process of onboarding 50 auditors to strengthen tax enforcement and ensure that the city's laws are administered with fairness and accountability.
An effective tax audit and enforcement division is central to our mission, and this investment underscores the administration's commitment to efficient revenue collection.
As a result of this initiative, as well as better retention of existing auditors, the projection for the audit revenue has been increased by $50 million for fiscal year 27.
We'll continue to work with the council on the creation of the land bank and a new shared vision for property tax enforcement.
As the council knows, the mayor paused the tax lien sale for 2026 to allow for a comprehensive review of next steps.
That pause gives us an opportunity to think carefully about the tools the city should have to resolve delinquency, protect homeowners, and support neighborhood stability.
We'll also take the lead in implementing the proposed pay-to-tear surcharge, which was included in the recently passed New York State budget to close the city's budget gap while protecting core services.
And finally, we'll continue to improve how we communicate with and serve New Yorkers.
Whether it's a
Someone's applying for a property tax exemption, making a payment, contesting a parking ticket, recording a deed, or trying to resolve debt.
They deserve a process that is clear, accurate, accessible, and respectful.
In closing, I want to thank the council for your partnership and oversight.
I know you share a commitment to administering the city's tax laws and revenues laws fairly, collecting what is owed, connecting New Yorkers to help when they need it, and improving the experience of every New Yorker who comes to their city government for assistance.
Thank you very much, and I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have.