Media Contact: Randolph Yunker - (516) 571-2490

(Mineola, NY) Board of Assessors Chairman Harvey Levinson today reminded all Nassau County homeowners that the property tax exemption-filing period will close on January 2, 2006 for the 2006-2007 school and general tax years.

Assessor Levinson, who is the chief administrator for all of the County's property tax exemptions (including the Basic and Enhanced STAR school tax relief programs), pointed out that qualifying homeowners could find themselves saving literally hundreds - if not thousands - of dollars off of their property tax bills each year.

While many of the County's property tax exemption programs are either income or special need driven, the Basic STAR school property tax relief program is available to every resident who lives in his or her home, condominium or cooperative apartment regardless of age or income. According to Assessor Levinson, the actual tax savings for 2005-2006 varied from school district to school district starting at $559 to $1,515.

Assessor Levinson went on to note that homeowners do not have to register with a "property tax reduction consultant" who offers to prepare and file a Basic STAR application for a fee of 75-100% of the first year's property tax savings!

"I urge any homeowner who is interested in filing for any of the property tax exemptions I administer to contact my office before the January 2, 2006 filing deadline," stated Assessor Levinson. "There is no filing fee to process any exemptions application and Department of Assessment personnel are always available to answer any questions regarding the filing process and forms."

To learn more about Nassau County's property tax relief programs or to obtain an application, homeowners should contact the Department of Assessment at one of the following telephone numbers:

DIVISION	TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Senior Citizen Exemption	571-0787, 571-0783 or 571-3853
Enhanced or Basic STAR	571-2377, 571-2364 or 571-6185
Veterans or Handicapped Exemptions	571-2067 or 571-2407
Limited Income Disability Exemption	571-0873
Volunteer Firefighters/Ambulance Workers Exemption	571-2308