Homeowners to receive STAR rebates
Deadline to apply is Nov. 30, By Linda Smith Hancharick Warwick As school tax bills are sent out and residents feel the pinch of another increase, the State of New York is set to implement the 2007 Middle Class STAR Rebate Program. Just what is this rebate? It is a property tax relief program providing homeowners a rebate check based on their income. It is available to all homeowners who have previously signed up to receive the basic STAR (State Tax Rebate Program) exemption on their property tax bill. Those homeowners will receive a letter from the stateletters will be sent to Orange County homeowners beginning on Sept. 17with directions on how to apply for this new rebate. The rebates are based on income levels, school district and town (see chart). When homeowners receive their letter from the state Department of Taxation and Finance, they may apply either online or the old fashioned wayby completing a paper application which will be provided in the notification letter. Good news for senior citizens 65 years and older who are enrolled in the Enhanced STAR Programno application is necessary for the Middle Class STAR rebate. Those homeowners will automatically receive their rebate checks beginning next week. The Middle Class STAR rebate for those receiving the basic STAR exemption is for those with incomes up to $250,000, based on 2005 income tax returns. The rebate is in addition to the basic or enhanced STAR exemptions currently received. The Basic STAR Program started in 1997 as a way to help homeowners throughout the state counteract high property taxes. Based on a state formula, the exemption amount is subtracted from a homeowner’s assessment before taxes are applied. For example, if a house is assessed at $160,000 and the Basic STAR exemption is $25,000, the homeowner will pay school taxes on $135,000. What you’ll need to apply In order to apply for the Middle Class STAR, you will need the STAR code for your property. It is a six-character code included on your Tax Department letter. Simply go to www.tax.state.ny.us/star/2007/ and click on “Apply Now.” You will be asked for the STAR code from your letter to proceed. If you do not have access to the internet, complete the paper application included in the Tax Department letter, form DTF-179. It already has the STAR code pre-printed on it. You will also need the names and social security numbers of all resident property owners and their spouses, and you must verify that they filed a New York State income tax return for 2005. Remember, the deadline to apply for the Middle Class STAR Rebate is Nov. 30. For more information, call 1-877-678-2769 or log on to www.tax.state.ny.us/star/2007/. If you do not already receive the Basic STAR exemption or, if you are a senior citizen 65 or older and you do not receive the Enhanced STAR exemption, contact your local assessor or log on to the New York State Office of Real Property Services at www.orps.state.ny.us/star/ for an application. Middle Class STAR exemption chart Location up to $120,000 $120,001 to $175,000 $175,001 to $250,000 Enhanced Chester School District Blooming Grove $454.70 $341.03 $227.35 $358.22 Chester $483.14 $362.35 $241.57 $381.19 Goshen $442.51 $331.88 $221.25 $349.21 Warwick Valley School District Warwick $441.85 $331.39 $220.93 $348.51 Chester $471.21 $353.41 $235.61 $371.78 Florida School District Town of Warwick $490.85 $368.14 $245.43 $387.16 Town of Goshen $479.44 $359.58 $239.72 $378.35 Greenwood Lake School District $489.45 $367.09 $244.73 $386.05 Tuxedo School District Town of Tuxedo $298.73 $156.55 $104.36 $186.97 Town of Warwick $216.91 $162.68 $108.45 $171.08