Applications for STAR extended to Dec. 31

Legislation has been approved to extend the deadline for homeowners to apply for their 2007 Middle Class STAR Rebate Program check from Nov. 30 to Dec. 31.

In addition, reminders about the program will be sent to about 600,000 property owners statewide who have yet to apply for their rebate check.

Between July and October, the Tax Department mailed more than 2.7 million notices and applications to property owners throughout New York State who receive the basic STAR exemption on their school tax bills, inviting them to apply for a rebate check under the STAR program.

By the end of October, approximately 79 percent of households had responded by filing applications online or through the mail. Rebate checks totaling $685 million have been mailed so far to 1.8 million eligible households.

Seniors 65 years or older who receive the enhanced STAR exemption on their school tax bills did not have to apply. These homeowners got their STAR rebate checks automatically. The Tax Department mailed 630,000 rebate checks totaling more than $206 million to enhanced STAR recipients.

Rebate checks are calculated on a sliding scale based on income, with the maximum benefit going to all upstate homeowners earning $90,000 or less.

Online applications take less time to process, though generally people may expect their check several weeks after they submit their application. Enrolling online at www.nystax.gov will be the fastest way to receive a rebate check.

To receive a rebate check, homeowners only have to verify the property information provided on the application, enter the names, social security numbers, and all required information for all resident property owners and their spouses, verify the mailing address, and submit the application.

For information on its Web site, www.nystax.gov, or through the STAR hotline at 1-877-678-2769.