Star Rebate

Recently I realized that there is a great program around for Shandaken residents that I wasn't taking advantage of. It is the STAR program. It is a State Tax Relief program and all full time residents are eligible. I didn't get in on it because for some reason I just thought it was for seniors. You are probably all out there saying......."Duh, Carol, where have you been?". But just in case there is someone else like me who didn't quite understand how this works I am going to tell you what I have learned. All full time residents are qualified to receive a rebate on their school property taxes. All you have to do is either go to the assessor's office and fill out the Star form. They need to verify you are a resident so make sure you bring your driver's license so they can make a copy. Or you can visit the Shandaken website, click the "Departments" link and go to the assessors department that way. Then you can download the form and mail it to them with a photocopy of your license. Don't try to fax it to them. Heidi Clark told me that the fax of the license never comes out clear enough. Once you file the paperwork you are qualified for the rebate. Seniors 65 or older may be qualified for ENHANCED STAR. You can get a bigger rebate but it is based on your income so you need to show them your tax forms. Seniors who do the ENHANCED STAR need to reapply every year. Deadline for filing is March 1st so get your applications in now!

For more information you can call Heidi Clark at the Town Assessors Office at (845)688-5003. She will answer any questions you might have.