Delivering Tax Relief

With so many hardworking families having a challenging time making ends meet, I have consistently made family tax relief one of my top priorities.

That is why I am pleased to inform you about some of the new tax relief measures I’ve championed that will soon be helping local families throughout our region.

$350 Family Tax Relief Checks -- In the coming weeks, thousands of local families with children under the age of 17 will begin receiving a $350 check in the mail. These family tax relief checks, which are designed to help families cope with the rising cost of raising a child, will provide more than $400 million in direct tax relief.

New Property Tax Rebate Checks -- An important new initiative will encourage local governments and school districts to operate efficiently and hold the line on tax increases. In return, local homeowners in these communities will soon be receiving a new property tax rebate check in the mail.

For more information on these two initiatives, visit the State Department of Taxation and Finance website at http://www.tax.ny.gov.

In addition, I was also successful in advancing the following tax relief measures:

Record Funding for STAR -- This year, $3.4 billion was provided to help fully fund STAR and Enhanced STAR, two outstanding programs which deliver major tax relief to millions of middle class families and seniors each year.

Energy Tax Relief -- New Yorkers pay some of the highest energy bills in the nation. To address this problem, I successfully led the effort to lower energy taxes by accelerating the phase-out of a State utility tax. This smart, new tax break will help save New York residents and businesses $600 million over the next three years.

Each of these measures will help to ensure that hardworking New Yorkers and their families will see meaningful tax relief this year -- helping them save, invest in their futures, and pursue their dreams and aspirations.

I will be sure to keep you posted on my continued efforts to provide meaningful tax relief for you and your family.