Hannon: Rebate Check Applications Coming Soon

As you may be aware, many New York State residents enrolled in STAR will be receiving rebate checks this fall.

The new rebate program will be based on household income, with rebate checks declining as residents earn more money. Believe me, I know how hard it is to raise a family on Long Island and this is the wrong way to run a rebate program. I supported a rebate check program with larger rebate amounts, no application process and no income limitations. Unfortunately, the Governor would not agree to this.

If you have questions about the STAR Rebate Check program, please visit www.nystax.gov, www.kemphannon.com or call 1-877-678-2769. You can also call my community office at 516-739-1700.

There are some questions you may have about the rebate check program below:

Q: What is the Middle Class STAR Rebate Program?

This program provides a rebate check in addition to the current STAR discount you already receive off your school taxes. You will continue to receive the discount you already do. Last year, those with STAR received checks automatically. This year, STAR enrollees will need to apply to receive a refund check.

Q: Do I need to be enrolled in STAR to be eligible for a rebate check?

Yes, you must be enrolled in Basic STAR or Enhanced STAR to be eligible to receive a check.

Q: Who is eligible for the rebate?

The rebate is provided to all homeowners currently enrolled in the STAR program with household incomes less than $250,000.

Q: How do I get my check? Apply Online or by Mail.

If you are already in the Enhanced STAR program, you may have received your rebate check already. If you have not received it, you should be receiving it shortly. If you do not receive it by the end of September, please call my office at 516-739-1700.

If you are in the Basic STAR program, the state Department of Taxation and Finance will notify you of the application process. Application packets will be mailed to Nassau County home-owners beginning September 24.

Qualifying homeowners will have until November 30, 2007 to apply for their rebate. Once you get the packet, you will be able to apply online by visiting www.nystax.gov or by mail.

Q: What will be required on the application?

Homeowners will need to submit to Taxation and Finance the affiliated income for each parcel. Affiliated income includes a combined income of all owners of the property and their spouses. They will tell you what documentation is needed to verify your income.

The application requires a few facts for completion:

·You will need the STAR code for your property, which is included with the letter you receive from the Tax Department. The STAR code is a six-character code, assigned by the Tax Department. This code will make it easy for you to identify your property when you apply for your rebate.

Simply transfer the STAR code to your online application. If you are using the paper application, the STAR code is already pre-printed on the form we mailed to you.

·You will need the names and social security numbers of all resident property owners and their spouses.

·You will need to verify that each resident property owner and their spouse filed a New York State income tax return for 2005.

If any resident property owner or their spouse was not a NYS resident in 2005 and was not required to file a 2005 New York State income tax return, you will need the front page of his/her 2005 Federal Income Tax return.

If you receive more than one notification letter and pre-printed application, please review the information on each application. You should only apply for a rebate for a home that you owned on the date provided on the pre-printed application and that was your primary residence.

Q: When will I receive my rebate and how much will I get?

Taxation and Finance intends to send out rebate checks on a rolling basis based on the dates completed applications are received. Rebates will vary depending upon your exemption, income and the school district in which you reside. Visit www.nystax.gov and click on "NYS STAR" to determine your check amount.

Q: What do I do when I get my check?

Deposit it.

Q: What do I do if my spouse is deceased and the bank won't accept the check with their name on it?

Write VOID across the check and send the voided check and a letter explaining the reason for the void and who a new check needs to be issued to (and where it needs to be sent) to:

STAR Rebate Unit

NYS Tax and Finance Dept.

W.A. Harriman Campus

Basement 8-A

Albany, NY 12227

Enclose a copy of his/her death certificate and proof of your ownership (for example, a copy of your local property tax bill). Be sure to include your contact information and make copies of everything you send. You may even want to send this certified mail/return receipt requested.

Q: What do I do if my check is made out to a life estate or trust and the bank will not accept it?

Write VOID across the check and return with a letter of explanation ("Property in trust/life estate and should be reissued to owner (name)". ANYS tax representative will call the owner to verify ownership, so be sure to include your address and phone num-ber. Mail to:

STAR Rebate Unit

NYS Tax and Finance Dept.

W.A. Harriman Campus

Basement 8-A

Albany, NY 12227

Make copies of everything you send. You may even want to send this certified mail/return receipt requested.

Q: I am in Basic STAR and received my rebate check application, but my name is spelled wrong.

If you receive the Basic STAR rebate check application and your name is spelled wrong, write the correct name on the application. It will be corrected when the check is sent.

Q: I just realized I should have applied for Enhanced STAR last year and didn't, can I get a larger check?

You must have applied for Enhanced STAR by the end of 2006 in order to be eligible for an Enhanced STAR rebate check this year. You can apply for Enhanced STAR now and next year you will receive a larger check if the rebate check program continues.

Q: It's mid-October and I didn't receive my application packet. What do I do?