Senate Empowers New York Taxpayers To Better Navigate STAR Tax Credit Program

(Albany, NY) The Senate today passed legislation to help New Yorkers navigate the STAR tax relief program. This bill, sponsored by Senator Pete Harckham, will create the Office of STAR Ombudsman which will be available for New York to contact, learn more about the STAR program rebate, and receive timely answers to their outreach.

“This legislation will help empower homeowners and make it easier to navigate the STAR credit program,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “The STAR credit should be a relief to homeowners, not a burdensome and overwhelming application process. I commend Senator Harckham for this legislation and his advocacy on behalf of New York’s taxpayers.”

Bill Sponsor, Senator Pete Harckham said, “It is unacceptable that taxpayers have to wait so long for money they are owed. If the IRS can issue most tax refunds within 21 days of filing, the state should also have a quick turnaround time for STAR rebates. The passage of this bill today will give new rights to STAR recipients and makes it clear that an overhaul of the STAR process is a top priority for the Senate Majority. Further, the creation of the STAR Ombudsman will give taxpayers one source of contact to resolve issues rather than the maze they must navigate now.”

Senate Bill, S.4024-B, will:

• Create the Office of STAR Ombudsman that will help homeowners navigate the STAR credit process in a timely manner.
• Establish the STAR Credit Bill of Rights that will set standards for communications with taxpayers and improve the efficiency of providing the rebates to the recipients.