(Mineola, NY) In an unprecedented move to ensure that all homeowners take full advantage of New York State’s School Tax Relief (STAR) program, Assessor Harvey Levinson has initiated an aggressive community service outreach campaign aimed at helping qualifying Nassau County homeowners ease their school property tax burden.
“Shortly after assuming office in January, I conducted an intense review of Department of Assessment records and discovered that nearly 60,000 homeowners never filed and may qualify for the Basic STAR program that could save hundreds – if not thousands – of dollars off of their school property tax bills,” Assessor Levinson explained. “With the help of community leaders and local elected officials, I plan on conducting a series of outreach meetings throughout Nassau County to promote the STAR and other property exemptions programs I administer.”
Since its inception in 1997, hundreds of thousands of Nassau County homeowners have filed for school property tax relief. Under the Basic STAR program, any resident who owns and lives in his or her home, condominium or cooperative apartment can qualify for some amount of tax savings. In addition, that savings can increase under the Enhanced STAR program for individuals aged 65 years or older with annual incomes of $64,650 or less in the same school district.
While actual tax savings vary from school district to school district, Basic STAR savings applied to the 2004-2005 School Tax Bill (based on the 2003-2004 school tax rates) average from $462 to $1,442 for Class 1 (Residential) properties; Enhanced STAR savings average from $831 to $2,609.
“With many of Nassau County’s over 400 taxing jurisdictions imposing higher tax rates each year to fulfill budgetary obligations, many residents are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet and pay their taxes,” stated Assessor Levinson. “That is why it is so important that all homeowners are kept informed of and encouraged to apply for these valuable tax relief programs.”
In addition to the conducting community outreach meetings and an aggressive mailing campaign, Assessor Levinson will be re-configuring the Department of Assessment Website to allow residents to download the STAR exemption form and permit – for the first time in County history – year-round filing for all property exemptions.
To learn more about the STAR or any other property tax exemption program, homeowners are encouraged to contact the Department of Assessment Exemptions Division at (516) 571-1500 or visit the County Website at www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies.
To View the Estimated Basic and Enhanced Star Savings
for Class 1 and 2 In Each School District, Click the Report Title Listed Below.
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