Clavin and Cabana Host Bi-Lingual Tax Reduction Seminars

Expanding Hempstead Town’s services to Spanish-speaking residents, Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin and Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana are hosting a first-ever series of bi-lingual tax reduction seminars, offering presentations and associated literature in both English and Spanish. The officials called the seminar series a great opportunity to help Spanish-speaking homeowners take advantage of property tax reduction programs such as property tax exemptions and assessment challenges. Joining Clavin and Cabana at an announcement of the new initiative were Gil Bernardino, Executive Director of Circulo De La Hispanidad; Margarita Grasing, Executive Director of the Hispanic Brotherhood; Rev. Daniel De Jesus, Pastor, Arc of Salvation Church in Oceanside and other Hispanic community leaders.

“The Hispanic community deserves access to the same tax relief as every other community in Hempstead Town,” stated Clavin. “By presenting bi-lingual tax reduction seminars, we will be delivering the tools needed for Spanish-speaking homeowners to take advantage of property tax exemption and assessment challenge information. I want to thank Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana for making this initiative possible.”

“It’s expensive to live on Long Island,” said Cabana. “That’s why presenting tax reduction seminars in a bilingual format is so important to Hispanic homeowners who live in our township. I am excited to be able to work with Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin on this project.”

The seminars, which are a concept that Clavin developed, will focus on a host of property tax exemptions including home improvement exemptions and senior citizen exemptions, as well as tax reducing programs for volunteer firefighters (ambulance workers), veterans and those with limited incomes or disabilities.

Additionally, Clavin and Cabana will discuss how homeowners may challenge their property tax assessments. What’s more, the Receiver and Clerk will provide information on the new federal tax code and its impact on the deductibility of property taxes. Other topics to be covered include taxpayers’ rights, tax bill payment reminders, third party notifications, e-Billing and online tax payments, among other issues.

The following is a list of the scheduled bi-lingual tax reduction seminar

• May 30 at 7 p.m. at Freeport Memorial Library, 144 West Merrick Rd., Freeport
• June 4 at 7 p.m. at Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
• June 6 at 7 p.m. at Valley Stream Village Hall, 123 South Central Ave., Valley Stream
• June 7 at 7 p.m. at East Meadow Public Library, 1866 Front St., East Meadow
• June 12 at 7 p.m. at Circulo Center, 605 Peninsula Blvd., Hempstead
• June 20 at 7 p.m. at Oceanside Library, 30 Davison Ave., Oceanside
• June 21 at 7 p.m. at Uniondale Public Library, 400 Uniondale Ave., Uniondale

Clavin said that he came up with the idea for the bi-lingual tax reduction forums after observing a lack of tax grievance and tax exemption related phone calls, office visits and tax forum attendance by members of the Hispanic community. The Receiver said it is clear that the language barrier has limited participation in such tax reducing programs. As a result, Clavin approached the Town Clerk, who is proficient in Spanish, asking her to present bi-lingual tax reduction programs with him.

“It became clear to me that we need to do more to make sure that the Hispanic community can take advantage of important tax reduction programs,” said Clavin. “That is why I have asked the Town Clerk to join me in presenting bi-lingual tax seminars.”

“This Bi-Lingual Tax Reduction Seminar series will break down the language barrier that has hampered members of the Hispanic community from filing for tax exemptions and assessment grievances that can result in lower property taxes,” said Gil Bernardino, Executive Director of Circulo de la Hispanidad. “I commend Receiver Clavin and Town Clerk Cabana for reaching out to the underserved Hispanic community and providing them with this important information.”

“I am looking forward to this bi-lingual seminar series, and I am delighted that Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana is partnering with me to bring genuine property tax relief to the Hispanic community,” concluded Clavin. “I hope to assist many homeowners in taking advantage of property tax savings.”