A racial discrimination lawsuit claims Hispanic and African-American renters in New York City are treated unfairly by the New York City property tax system.
The suit was filed Wednesday in Manhattan state Supreme Court and alleges the system favors owners of co-ops, condos and single-family homes.
Renters indirectly pay property taxes through rent payments.
The suit challenges the system on constitutional grounds. The Wall Street Journal reports that it seeks to throw out much of the city's $20 billion property-tax system set up by the state Legislature in 1981.
It doesn't seek money damages. The suit says the system violates the anti-discrimination provisions of the Federal Fair Housing Act.
It was filed by Newman Ferrara LLP, a real-estate law firm with a civil rights practice.
The city says it will review the lawsuit.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.