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S2545Senate2013-2014 Session

Reinstates the Middle Class STAR rebate for the 2015-2016 school year and thereafter

Sponsor Michael H. RanzenhoferSD-61+5 co-sponsorsAffects Local Government
Status
In Senate Committee
Local Government
Impact
Pending
Passage
Pending

Bill progress

Step 2 of 7

In committee · Local Government

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Sponsors

Primary sponsor
Michael H. Ranzenhofer

Senator · Senate District 61

Chair, Corporations, Authorities And Commissions

History

  1. Print number 2545a
  2. Amend and recommit to local government
  3. Referred to local government
  4. Referred to local government

Full text

The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.

Sponsor's memo

BILL NUMBER:S2545A

Title of bill

An act to amend the real property tax law and the tax law, in relation to reinstating the "Middle Class STAR" rebate program

Summary of provisions

This bill would reinstate the Middle Class STAR rebate program.

Section 1 adds a new Real Property Tax Law Section 1306-B, entitled "Middle Class STAR" rebate program. This section provides that if a parcel is entitled to the basic or enhanced STAR exemption pursuant to RPTL section 425 for the 2015-2016 school year and thereafter, a local real property tax rebate shall be provided to the owner or owners of such parcel. The section sets forth the process by which such rebate shall be determined.

Section 2 adds a new Tax law section 178 entitled "Middle Class STAR" rebate program. The section sets forth the mechanism by which the Department of taxation shall issue STAR Rebate checks to those entitled to receive such checks.

Section 4 provides that this act shall take effect immediately.

Purpose and justification

Real property taxes are a serious burden for many homeowners, from young families to senior citizens. School taxes represent a substantial portion of the property taxes that homeowners pay. The Legislature has provided increasing state aid to school districts year after year, but school property taxes seem to rise anyway. Several years ago, the Legislature gave additional assistance to hard-pressed homeowners through the STAR Rebate program. The STAR Rebate program was discontinued in the SFY 2009-10 Budget, but this is an important program that gives help to homeowners who are struggling to pay local property taxes. With homeowners also facing difficulties keeping their homes because of the current troubled economy, it is more important than ever to maintain the STAR Rebate program.

Existing law

Currently, eligible homeowners receive either basic or enhanced exemptions on their school tax bills which reduce the amount of such taxes.

Prior legislative history

2009-2010 - S.5248-A -- LOCAL GOV'T 2011-2012- S.4338-A -- LOCAL GOV'T 2013 - S.2545 - LOCAL GOV'T

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.

Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.