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July 17, 2007
STATE TO LAUNCH MIDDLE CLASS STAR REBATE ENROLLMENT CAMPAIGN
Online Application Will Make Enrollment Fast and Easy
Governor Eliot Spitzer and Acting New York State Commissioner of Taxation and
Finance Barbara G. Billet today announced that the Department of Taxation and
Finance has started mailing letters to homeowners to provide important
information on how to apply for their property tax rebate check, ensuring that
they receive the full benefit to which they are entitled.
This application process ensures that the tax relief will go to those who need
it the most based on their income.
“This new rebate program will provide direct relief to middle class New Yorkers
who need it most, and is a critical component of our ongoing effort to reduce
the property tax burden shouldered by New York’s seniors and hard-working
families,” said Governor Spitzer. “This $1.3 billion tax cut, deliberately
targeted to the middle class, is the largest in state history
and will provide much-needed tax relief to homeowners across the state.”
Acting Commissioner Billet said: “This year’s enacted budget not only included
the largest property tax cut in history, but it made the tax system inherently
more fair by giving the most relief to those with the least ability to pay ?
making a regressive property tax system more
progressive. While this added fairness comes with the added responsibility of
filling out a form, our Department worked meticulously to create a process that
was simple and fast for families to receive their checks.”
More than 94 percent of all homeowners across New York State are eligible to
receive additional tax relief under the Governor’s Middle Class STAR program,
with four out of every five homeowners qualifying for the maximum benefit? a 60
percent additional benefit in 2007/08 growing to an additional benefit of 80
percent in 2009/10.
Rebate checks will be calculated on a sliding scale based on income, with the
maximum benefit going to all upstate homeowners earning $90,000 or less, and all
NYC metropolitan region homeowners earning $120,000 or less. The difference in
threshold levels corresponds to the difference in average regional incomes and
cost of living. The benefit gradually diminishes as
income exceeds these thresholds until a homeowner’s income reaches $250,000.
Taxpayers earning over $250,000 are not eligible for new relief, but will
continue to receive their current STAR benefit.
Seniors 65-years or older who receive the enhanced STAR exemption do not need to
apply. These homeowners will receive their STAR rebate check automatically.
On July 16, the Tax Department began mailing letters with applications to New
York City homeowners who need to apply, and will continue mailing out notices at
a rate of approximately 50,000 to 60,000 each business day. On August 1, the Tax
Department will mail letters with applications to homeowners in the city of
Yonkers. These letters are going out first because New York City's and Yonkers'
tax assessment rolls are updated earlier than other localities. In mid-August,
as other localities’ tax rolls are updated and sent to the Tax Department,
letters will be mailed to STAR-eligible homeowners throughout the rest of the
state.
All letters will be sent out by the end of September to give ample time for
taxpayers to fill out the application prior to the November 30 deadline.
Staggering notifications will also allow the Tax Department to manage homeowner
telephone inquiries and applications while maintaining a high level of customer
service and responsiveness.
Once a homeowner receives a notice, enrollment is easy with a simple application
that can be submitted by mail or online. The rebate checks will be mailed to
homeowners as their applications are processed. 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 will 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;
Submit the application.
The Department will provide updated information on the Department website,
www.nystax.gov, as well as through the Department’s Call Center, creating a
special hotline at 1-877-6-STAR-NY (1-877-678-2769). Spanish speakers will be
able to receive assistance through the Call
Center.
Starting July 16, homeowners can go online or use the Call Center to find out
approximately when their notice and application will be mailed, see a sample
application and instructions, view a list of Frequently Asked Questions, and
find out how much they will most likely receive in their rebate check.
For more information about the program, please visit the Tax Department’s
website at www.nystax.gov or call the STAR hotline at
1-877-678-2769.
