FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  February 7, 2008
MEDIA CONTACT:  Randolph Yunker (516) 571-5048

LEVINSON CALLS FOR INCREASES IN BASIC AND ENHANCED STAR CREDITS

(Mineola, NY)  Nassau County Board of Assessors Chairman Harvey Levinson today called on state lawmakers to end the STAR Rebate Check Program and apply the amount of the rebate to the existing Basic and Enhanced STAR program in the form of a non-taxable credit on the school bill.

“While I applaud the state for wanting to help reduce the school property tax burden, the most cost-effective and time-saving way to provide the tax relief is by increasing the annual credits,” explained Chairman Levinson.  “Not only did the STAR Rebate Check Program cost the state and local agencies millions of dollars in unnecessary administrative and mailing costs over the past two years, but the refund creates an additional income tax burden for unsuspecting homeowners.”

In addition to the income tax liability that was placed on homeowners who filed for and received their rebate checks last fall, Mr. Levinson also pointed out that there were many instances whereby the former owner of a home qualified and received checks under the program’s guidelines, even though they had moved to another state.   “It is mind-boggling that a property tax relief initiative that was meant to help the current owner of a home could be given to an out-of-state resident,” Chairman Levinson remarked.

“Unfortunately, the STAR Rebate Check Program is nothing more than a public relations gimmick that needlessly wastes taxpayers’ money to help legislators promote themselves as tax fighters,” stated Chairman Levinson.  “While some legislators might argue differently, one needs only to look back at when former Governor Pataki destroyed over 200,000 rebate checks because the checks were printed without the phrase: ‘Approved by Governor George Pataki and the State legislature.’ When I discussed the benefits of using a credit instead of a rebate check with one state legislator from Nassau County last year, I was flabbergasted when he retorted, ‘How are we supposed to get credit for the rebate?’”