Property tax rebate extended for Erie County residents
MARY LOU RATH New York State Senator
Building on the success of last year's property tax rebate check program, the Senate worked this year to expand the initiative. As a result, Erie County residents will soon be receiving information on how to apply for their rebate, and seniors eligible for enhanced STAR will soon be receiving their checks.

Applications for the 2007 New York State Property Tax Rebate will be mailed to Erie County homeowners beginning Aug. 20. Included in the packet you will receive from the Department of Taxation and Finance is important information necessary to complete the application and instructions for filing online or through the mail. The deadline for applying is Nov. 30.

The application requires the following information to complete:

• The STAR code for your property, which is included in the letter you will receive. The STAR code is a six-character code assigned by the Tax Department. This code will make it easy to identify your property when you apply for your rebate. Simply transfer the STAR code to your online application. If you use the paper application, the STAR code is already preprinted on the form.

• The names and Social Security numbers of all resident property owners and their spouses.

• Verification that each resident property owner and their spouse filed a New York State income tax return for 2005.

If any resident property owner or their spouse was not a New York State resident in 2005 and was not required to file a 2005 New York State income tax return, you will need the front page of his/her 2005 Federal Income Tax return.

If you receive more than one notification letter and preprinted application, please review the information on each application. You should only apply for a rebate for a home that you owned on the date provided on the preprinted application and that was your primary residence.

Remember, your rebate check is in addition to the property tax relief received through the STAR program, which is shown on your school tax bill.

Seniors 65 years and older who receive the enhanced STAR exemption do not have to apply for their 2007 rebate. Those checks will be mailed automatically and are also scheduled to be sent Aug. 20. If you have not received a check by the end of September, to ensure your eligibility and that no errors have been made, call the STAR hotline at 1-877-678-2769.

For further information regarding the 2007 property tax rebates, including check amounts and frequently asked questions, visit www.nystax. gov or call the STAR hotline.

I was glad to be able to help bring additional tax relief to Western New York homeowners and will continue to work to reduce property taxes.