New York City's Department of Finance (DOF) has published a searchable online database identifying over 960,000 properties that could be subject to the proposed pied-à-terre tax. This tax is an annual surcharge on high-value residential properties classified as non-primary residences, targeting luxury homes, second residences, seasonal homes, or investment properties valued over $1 million. The goal is to generate an estimated $340 million to $500 million annually from about 10,000 luxury homes, with rates ranging from 0.8% to 6.5% based on property value.
The public release of this list, which includes owners' names and mailing addresses, has drawn significant criticism. Critics, including Council Minority Leader David Carr, have called it "reckless and foolish," pointing out that thousands of properties on the list may not qualify as second homes. Even City Council members, including Gale Brewer and David Carr, found their primary residences included in the database. The Partnership for New York City has warned that publishing owner names alongside home addresses creates unnecessary safety and privacy risks.
Several prominent figures, such as Taylor Swift (whose property is listed under "Euro Tribeca LLC"), Anna Wintour, Cynthia Nixon, Darren Aronofsky, and properties linked to Leonard Stern and the Woody Allen 2005 Revocable Trust, have appeared on the list. The DOF states that the list was released for public inspection as per state law and that it will ultimately determine which properties meet the criteria for the surcharge. However, the accuracy of the list and the public nature of the data exposure have become major points of contention.
