Winner Announces Value Of Local Property Tax Rebates

Elmira, N.Y.-- State Senator George H. Winner, Jr. (R-C, Elmira) today announced the final figures for the property tax rebates that will be sent to area homeowners this fall as the result of a Senate-sponsored property tax rebate initiative enacted into law as part of the 2006-07 state budget.

Winner said that the values of homeowners' school property tax rebates under the new plan were recently calculated by the state Department of Taxation and Finance (Tax and Finance) and vary based on the tax rates of individual school districts. Winner said that additional information about the program, including a list of "Frequently Asked Questions," is available on the department’s web site.

"Homeowners and families have faced plenty of rising costs throughout the past year, so this fall’s property tax rebate will arrive as some welcome financial relief," said Winner.

Winner noted that the property tax rebate is one of several tax breaks that he and his colleagues fought for this year that, when combined, can result in hundreds of dollars of savings for many taxpayers. This year's tax initiatives included the elimination of the 4-percent state sales tax on clothing and footwear costing less than $110 per item, elimination of the income tax marriage penalty, and a cap on the state sales tax on gas.

Winneralso announced today that he is providing an onlineTax Relief Calculatorto help taxpayers estimate their 2006 tax savings under this year's new tax relief initiatives.

The arrival of the school property tax rebate, which homeowners are expected to receive by October 31, is meant to coincide with the time when most school tax bills are due.

Winner said that homeowners already enrolled in the state’s STAR school property tax relief program will automatically receive rebate checks. Homeowners who have not yet enrolled in STAR, but who are eligible, still can enroll, receive this year's rebate and be enrolled in STAR in future years. Homeowners not currently enrolled in STAR should contact their local assessor for further information.

Seniors who meet income eligibility requirements under the "Enhanced STAR" program will receive a larger rebate -- 67 percent more than the regular rebate.

In total the Senate-initiated school property tax relief program will provide $970 million in savings to homeowners statewide, according to the state Division of the Budget.

Winner said that homeowners in the school districts he represents will receive the following school property tax rebates:

CHEMUNG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS:

Elmira $187.20 (Basic Rebate) $312.62 (Enhanced "Senior" Rebate)

Elmira Heights $181.62 $303.31

Horseheads $171.54$286.47

SCHUYLER COUNTY:

Odessa-Montour $187.83 $313.68

Watkins Glen $134.19 $224.10

STEUBEN COUNTY:

Addison $196.38 $327.95

Arkport $219.69 $366.88

Avoca $152.19 $254.16

Bath $136.71 $228.31

Bradford $206.55 $344.94

Campbell-Savona $113.13 $188.93

Canisteo-Greenwood $143.28 $239.28

Corning $205.20 $342.68

Hammondsport $130.77 $218.39

Hornell $177.66 $296.69

Jasper-Troupsburg $124.29 $207.56

Prattsburgh $135.72 $226.65

Wayland-Cohocton $116.91 $195.24

TOMPKINS COUNTY:

Ithaca $170.55 $284.82

Newfield $170.01 $283.92

Trumansburg $173.07 $289.03

YATES COUNTY:

Dundee $127.26 $212.52

Penn Yan $111.96 $186.97