McDONOUGH REMINDS RESIDENTS ABOUT NEED TO RE-REGISTER FOR STAR EXEMPTION

Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) today is reminding residents that as of August 19, 2013 the re-registration for Basic STAR exemptions will be under way through December 31. An audit by the New York State Comptroller in March found widespread abuse of the Basic STAR program; estimates are as much as $13 million in fraud and abuse.

“Long Islanders pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation, and it is critical that qualified homeowners take full advantage of this program,” said McDonough. “Homeowners should act swiftly to ensure that they submit all the necessary paperwork early so they don’t receive an unwanted surprise on next year’s tax bill. The STAR exemption saved the average homeowner statewide $700 in 2012. Anyone with questions should visit the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance’s website www.tax.ny.gov, or contact their local assessor for additional details. The Nassau County’s Assessor’s office can be reached at 516-571-1500.”

In the coming weeks, homeowners will be receiving a letter from the Department of Taxation and Finance instructing them to reapply for the Basic STAR program online or by phone. People will need to verify their salaries, Social Security numbers and primary residences. The new registration for Basic STAR will only be required once, and homeowners will not have to re-register in future years.

Since it was established, the STAR program has provided a partial exemption from school taxes for most homeowners with incomes less than $500,000 on their primary residences. The new registration process will not affect this year’s tax bills, nor will it affect Enhanced STAR. Seniors are required to register every year to receive the Enhanced STAR exemption.

Additional information can be found at http://tax.ny.gov/pit/property/star13.htm.