Judge nixes Blaz try to toss tax bias suit

A Manhattan judge Tuesday allowed a potentially groundbreaking suit, charging the city’s property tax system is racially and economically biased, to proceed.

Supreme Court Justice Gerald Lebovits rejected Mayor de Blasio’s effort to get the suit tossed, finding that the suit has enough merit to proceed.

The suit, filed in April 2017, claims the city’s method of calculating property taxes favors wealthy homeowners and disproportionately hurts minority property owners and those in less affluent neighborhoods.

The suit was brought by Tax Equity Now New York, a group of real estate interests, and is led by Martha Stark, former De Blasio finance commissioner.

“Today’s decision probably brings us closer to achieving reform of New York City’s discriminatory, regressive and unlawful property tax system, than any single action taken or commission formed by the city over the last 40 years,” Stark said.

The suit cites data showing property owners in wealthier and gentrifying neighborhoods often pay higher taxes than those in poorer neighborhoods.

De Blasio’s top lawyer, Corporation Counsel Zachary Carter, had asked the judge to toss all 16 causes of action in the suit.

A Corporation Counsel spokesman said it is considering an appeal. “We continue to believe this is a topic best addressed by the legislature rather than the courts.”