By Kyle Lawson/Advance Local Express Desk
Staten Island Advance, N.Y.
(TNS)
July 24 — A social media post by Mayor Zohran Mamdani announcing notification letters for the city’s new pied-à-terre tax on luxury second homes has nearly 14 million views and 20,000 comments, including a wave of backlash from political opponents and commentators.
“If you have a second home in New York City worth more than $5 million, check your mailbox when you’re back in the five boroughs—because you’ve got mail,” Mamdani wrote on X, announcing that property owners would soon receive letters about the tax introduced by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The post garnered nearly 14 million views by Friday and prompted a wave of opposition from critics who say the tax could accelerate the departure of wealthy residents from the city.
Sen. Ashley Moody, a Republican from Florida, responded with a brief assessment: “Socialism—Florida’s best real estate agent.”
Some critics raised concerns about economic impacts beyond wealthy property owners. GOP strategist and attorney Mehek Cooke wrote, “…empty units don’t tip (doormen) or pay supers. You’re not taxing the rich. You’re firing the working class that depended on them.”
Recommended Articles
Others offered their support for the move.
“Excellent policy aimed at the ultra wealthy in NYC,” wrote Ramit Sethi, who hosts Netflix’s “How to Get Rich” and the “Money for couples” podcast. “Tax the wealthy (including me) and create a stronger America for the poor and middle class Money is political.”
The city developed the tax proposal in partnership with Hochul. Officials first announced the measure in April as part of efforts to address budget challenges without cutting services or increasing costs for working residents.
“When I came into office, I made clear that our city would need long-term solutions to our city’s long-term fiscal challenges,” Mamdani said. “On Tax Day earlier this year, I promised that we would tax the rich, and with our new pied-à-terre tax, that is exactly what we have done.”
The mayor said revenue from the tax will fund parks, schools and libraries.
To help property owners navigate the new requirements, the Department of Finance launched a dedicated webpage at nyc.gov/npsurcharge with frequently asked questions, an eligibility tool and instructions for submitting documentation.
Photo caption: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani/Facebook)
_______
© 2026 Staten Island Advance, N.Y. Visit www.silive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.
Sign in to get access to this free resource, and all of our whitepapers and reports.
Download this content today!
Register Now Already registered? Click here to Log In
