Westchester County is suspending the sales tax on home energy costs ahead of the cold months.
The county is suspending its 4% sales tax on home heating oil, propane, natural gas, electric, coal and wood for residential heating purposes.
"The cost of home heating might actually go up this winter coupled with the high inflation rate. We knew people really needed some relief," says Legislator Catherine Borgia, chairwoman of the Westchester Board of Legislators.
In September, the state exempted allowed residential energy sources from a 4% state sales tax, allowing counties to do the same.
Home heating oil businesses, like Economy Fuel in Peekskill, expect these measures will make a real difference for customers.
"Latimer is doing a good thing, but I wish he would just drop it altogether," says Henry Seger, co-owner of Economy Fuel.
The sales tax exemption in Westchester will run from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28.
If residents are charged a county sales tax for residential home heating, they are asked to report it to Westchester County.