1. The following shall be exempt from payment of the real estate transfer tax:
- (a) The state of New York, or any of its agencies, instrumentalities, political subdivisions, or public corporations (including a public corporation created pursuant to agreement or compact with another state or the Dominion of Canada).
- (b) The United Nations, the United States of America and any of its agencies and instrumentalities. The exemption of such governmental bodies or persons shall not, however, relieve a grantee from them of liability for the tax.