By Assemblyman Will Barclay
I wanted to take the time to share with you a few reminders, new rules and deadlines about this year’s Middle Class STAR Rebate program. Rebates are in addition to property tax relief provided by the STAR exemption on local property tax bills. Some of you have already contacted my office for information.
Basically, if you received a check last year and your residency or property deed did not change, you do not need to reapply. Checks will automatically be mailed beginning Sept. 29 and continue through Oct. 31. By the end of this month, homeowners can visit www.nystax.gov to learn more about mailing dates and rebate check amounts.
Some do need to apply or reapply. Property owners who did not apply for the 2007 rebates and whose property information changed during the year must apply. Applications will be mailed to these homeowners. Applicants will be encouraged to apply online at www.nystax.gov. The deadline is Dec. 31, 2008.
Others who are encouraged to reapply are property owners who submitted multiple applications for multiple properties last year. This confused the system the New York State Department of Tax and Finance administers last year and may delay the rebate check again this year. People only qualify for one rebate check for the property in which they reside.
Property owners should only apply once. Applying more than once will confuse the system and delay the rebate check process.
Enhanced STAR rebates, generally for seniors who meet income qualifications, will be issued automatically. No application is required. All seniors who receive the Enhanced STAR benefit on their school tax bills will receive rebate checks.
Rebate checks for Enhanced STAR recipients will be approximately 40 percent higher than the rebates in 2007.
Some Middle Class STAR Rebate applicants may not receive as much of a rebate as last year, due to a legislative change which required the New York State Department of Tax and Finance to reduce rebates to satisfy outstanding debts owed to New York State agencies, the Internal Revenue Services and other states. Enhanced STAR rebates are not subject to reduction for past debts to other state agencies or the IRS.
If you have any questions or comments or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office by mail at 200 North Second Street, Fulton, New York 13069, by e-mail at [email protected] or by calling (315) 598-5185.
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