Ranzenhofer introduces bills to reinstate STAR property tax rebates

Press release:

State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has introduced legislation in the New York State Senate to reinstate the STAR rebate check program for senior citizens. Senate Bill No. S6286 would provide seniors, who qualify for the Senior STAR exemption, with a rebate check.

“Property taxes are a serious burden for seniors, making it more difficult for them to afford the increased costs of staying in their homes. That is why I have proposed a bill in the State Senate to reinstate the STAR rebate check program and restore property tax relief to senior homeowners,” Senator Ranzenhofer said.

Senator Ranzenhofer also has authored legislation, Senate Bill No. S4338, to reinstate the Middle Class STAR rebate check program.  Restoring the program for homeowners would provide $141.5 million in tax relief for Western New Yorkers.

“One of the reasons why I opposed the 2009-10 State Budget was because it eliminated the STAR rebate check program. The 2009-10 State Budget also failed to offer homeowners a rain check to make up for the loss in tax relief. As a result, the average New York household has had to pay an additional $900 in property taxes each year since that time.  Passing this legislation is a start to return the tax relief which was taken away,” Ranzenhofer said.

Initiated in 2006, the STAR rebate check program was eliminated in the 2009-10 State Budget. Senator Ranzenhofer, along with many of his colleagues in the State Senate, lead the fight by starting a petition drive to restore the program shortly thereafter. The discontinuation of the program cost the average New York household $900 per year.