Thespians And Pagans Fight Assessors In New York Court

Merry-Go-Round Playhouse Inc operates a professional summer stock theater in Auburn, New York.  MGRP recruits actors and staff from all over the country.  Given the short term nature of the gig and the low pay, MGRP needs to provide the aspiring thespians with housing.  This had been handled by leasing apartments with local landlords, but as the operation grew it became rather cumbersome.  So in 2011 MGRP acquired two apartment buildings with a total of 30 units.  None of the units are rented out.  They are used exclusively to provide staff housing.  So now that the buildings are owned by a not for profit and being used for its exempt purpose, they come off the city's tax rolls - right?  The assessors did not think so, which is why we now have a decision from the New York Court of Appeals.  I'll keep you in suspense for now, so you can decide who to root for.