ANOTHER question about STAR rebates...long

We signed up for regular STAR when we purchased our home in Sept 2005. We did not receive any actual check last year but I assume it was credited to us somehow as we pay our property taxes through our mortgage.

This year I started getting all these various fliers saying "You Must Reapply - no auto-renewals..." So I called the NYS Dept of taxation and they said this is only for special exceptions like veterans or seniors and they checked our property info to make sure everything was in order.

A few weeks later we get the app for the Middle Class star rebate and I called back to ask what this was about. The rep told me this is a new rebate and just to sign the form and send it in and if we qualify we would receive a check in the mail. No check yet.

Today I receive a letter addressed to the old homeowner from the dept of taxation and finance so I open it... It says we sent you a check for $200+change and it has not yet been cashed, if you have not received the check please contact us. I called too late to talk to anyone today but will call tomorrow... I don't get it.

According to the website where you look up your town/school dist/income we are supposed to get wayyy more than $200.

Those who pay your taxes through your mortgage - do you receive 2 checks? 1 for the middle-class star rebate and 1 for the regular rebate? So confused...

We owned a coop before this but our taxes were not paid through our mortgage so totally different ball game.

Hope someone can unmuddle my mind...

Re: ANOTHER question about STAR rebates...long

You should have gotten an actual check last year, it doesn't get credited. There was no application last year.

Re: ANOTHER question about STAR rebates...long

I was talking this through with J and here's what we came up with.

You filed for the STAR exemption when you bought the house, which is an exemption on your taxes that reduces the amount you pay. You don't get a check for that.

The STAR rebate would've belonged to the previous owner because she paid the taxes in 2005/2006. (You guys bought in '06.) She was probably forwarded the check and never cashed it.

Hopefully that makes sense?

Re: ANOTHER question about STAR rebates...long

I would call the department of taxation.
There is a problem somewhere down the line.

We bought our house in Sept. 2005 also and filed for STAR in January 2006.

This year is the first year they are offering the rebate..it applies to you since you owned the house for the whole year and paid taxes in 2005...the amount you get back is based on your 2005 tax return.


Good luck....definitely call them and find out what is going on.

Re: ANOTHER question about STAR rebates...long

Re: ANOTHER question about STAR rebates...long

Re: ANOTHER question about STAR rebates...long

OK so the previous owner would have received/been eligible for the check from fall 2006. You are eligible for this years rebate as long as you apply for it.