Albany, NY – Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and Senator George Latimer are applauding Governor Cuomo’s decision to help save state funds by delivering money to taxpayers as a tax credit rather than as a rebate check. After the creation last year of the "Family Tax Relief Credit,” both legislators were critical of the decision to mail the $350 as physical checks. As part of the governor’s 2014-15 proposed State Budget, the $350 will now be turned into a credit which will be available when filing tax returns. Estimates have had the cost of sending physical checks to those who qualify near two million dollars. Making these monies available to families in this fashion will also allow them to access it faster (claimable when filing taxes) than if they had to wait for a check to come in the mail.

"I am pleased to see that the Governor has included this change in his budget proposal," said Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell). "If we're going to provide this relief to New York's hard working families, it should be done in the most efficient way possible."

"We have taken successful steps over the last few years to reduce the tax burden on New Yorkers and this additional middle class tax rebate is certainly helpful to those families," stated Senator George Latimer. "To continue those efforts and make government run as efficiently as possible, we had proposed a cost effective way to administer the distribution of tax rebates while still achieving the same result: lowering taxes for middle class families. I'm happy to see that Governor Cuomo has included this idea in part of the budget allowing millions of dollars to be spent in better, more productive ways."

Latimer and Lupardo had previously filed legislation (S4745/A6926) that will require the Tax and Finance Department to make the credit available when a taxpayer files his or her return for the taxable year.