STAR tax rebate deadline extended to Dec. 31
JAMES P. HAYES New York State Assembly
Irecently sent a notice to all Amherst property taxpayers reminding them to apply for their Middle Class STAR Property Tax Rebate check. According to the New York State Office of Taxation and Finance, 79 percent of households statewide have filed for the rebate and most - but not all - have received their check.

A 79 percent response rate sounds good, but I won't be satisfied until every eligible taxpayer in Amherst receives the check they are entitled to. That's why, during last week's special session of the Legislature in Albany, I was pleased to vote in favor of extending the application deadline to Dec 31. If you have not already applied for your rebate, please do so right away. Last week, a second round of application forms was mailed to taxpayers who, so far, failed to apply.

Remember: seniors 65 years or older who receive the Enhanced STAR exemption on their school tax bills do not have to apply. They automatically received their check a few months ago. All other homeowners who have a household income of less than $250,000 must file an application by mail, or online, by the new deadline of Dec. 31 to receive their rebate.

Because I want to make sure that every taxpayer who is eligible receives their rebate check in a timely fashion, my district office staff in Williamsville stands ready to assist taxpayers in answering questions and clearing up any "glitches" as part of the application process.

Most homeowners in Amherst have already received their checks. However, there are still many taxpayers with applications pending in Albany (due to administrative delays and other bureaucratic snafus), and my office is working diligently to break through the logjam to help them receive their checks. Unfortunately, some residents discovered they were not signed up for the Basic STAR program, having forgotten to

re-file at the town assessor's office after moving to a new home. Others discovered their income exceeded this year's $250,000 cap; still others have seen delays because of income and property information that didn't match or because of discrepancies on their deed.

Last year's rebate program went more smoothly because rebate checks were sent to all eligible homeowners, regardless of household income. Regrettably, under Gov. Eliot Spitzer's revised plan this year, some taxpayers, including many seniors, will see smaller checks than last year. That's wrong.

The governor and his staff should not tout the rebates as "major tax relief" when some New Yorkers will receive the same - or a lesser - amount than last year. Last year, seniors received 30 percent of their enhanced credit as a rebate; this year, they received only 25 percent. That's unfair. My Assembly Republican colleagues and I have a plan to double the amount seniors would receive, but sadly, the governor and Assembly speaker refuse to allow the plan to come to a vote.

I'll keep fighting in Albany for efforts to restrain state spending and eliminate unfunded mandates, so that meaningful tax cuts can be afforded to all homeowners. If you have a question about your STAR rebate, contact my office at 634-1895 or via e-mail hayesj@assembly.state.ny.us, and I'll do my best to resolve the issue for you.