Star rebate enrollment letters mailed

Star rebate enrollment letters mailed

The Tax Department has started mailing letters to homeowners in nine western New York state counties, providing them with information on how to apply for their 2007 Middle Class STAR Rebate check and receive the full program benefit.

The mailing to Allegheny, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming Counties began Monday, August 20, with approximately 450,000 notices to STAR-eligible homeowners reminding them of the need to apply. The mailing to homeowners in these counties will continue through August 28. Letters to other eligible homeowners throughout the rest of the state continues regionally beginning August 27 and runs through the end of September.

Seniors 65-years or older who receive the enhanced STAR exemption do not need to apply. These homeowners get their STAR rebate checks automatically.

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.

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 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.

The Tax Department has updated information on its website, www.nystax.gov, and created a special hotline in the department's Call Center at 1-877-6-STAR-NY (1-877-678-2769) for STAR calls. Spanish speakers will be able to receive assistance through the Call Center.

Homeowners interested in the program can go online or use the Call Center to find out when their notices 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 information about the program visit the Tax Department's website at www.nystax.gov or all the STAR hotline at 1-877-678-2769.