NYS STAR program changed--almost 2500 won't get STAR tax credit

New York State changed law regarding STAR- almost 2,500 Greenburgh residents to be impacted--
free bicycle helmets today
Almost 2,500 residents of Greenburgh will be receiving a letter from New York State this week advising them that they will no longer receive the STAR program reduction of their school tax. I don't know why New York State changed the law but do predict that the letters will cause some people to worry. That's why I'm writing this note. Don't want you to get very upset. The ramifications to taxpayers probably won't be that bad.

NYS changed the law. Homeowners with incomes greater than $250,000 and less than or equal to $500,000 will no longer receive the STAR program reduction off their school tax bill. Instead they will automatically be enrolled at the state level and will receive a check for the STAR credit. The amount will be worth at least as much as the tax savings they received when it was taken off the tax bill. A letter will be sent to impacted taxpayers from NYS that fit the criteria. The letter will also be the confirmation that the state registered the owner in the new check based program. There is nothing else the owner has to do.

The new change in the NYS law could affect the owner's escrow accounts.

If the owner wants to appeal the state's decision then they should follow the instructions on the state issued letter. Any and all questions regarding the STAR changes should be directed to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance at 518-457-2036.

I am not very pleased with the new law for the following reasons: 1) Residents are going to be stressed over the change. Will have to write a larger tax check to the town in September and January when they pay the school taxes-creating unnecessary bad will against schools. The school portion of your tax bills is the largest tax you pay the town- close to or over half your tax bill. The town acts as a tax collector but the schools are independent of the town. 2) I assume that there are more administrative costs: postage& mailings, processing checks. 3) I don't trust the postal service---they send mail to the wrong addresses very frequently (I receive hundreds and hundreds of complaints about the postal service each year). Worry that some of the checks will be lost in the mail. If that happens feel free to reach out to me and I will follow up.

SOMETHING FREE--FREE BICYCLE HELMETS IN TARRYTOWN TODAY ON MAIN STREET
Rey Insurance and Dan Convissor of Bike Tarrytown will be distributing free bicycle helmets at the street fair in Tarrytown today on Main Street. Several sizes of kids helmets and some adult helmets as well. Starts at 10 AM today. Supposed to go till 5. But come earlier. Rain and thunder storms predicted later this afternoon.

PAUL FEINER