Flushing, NY – Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows) has released a letter expressing opposition to Governor Cuomo’s budget proposal that would alter the STAR property tax relief program. Under the Governor’s proposal, STAR would be converted from a property tax deduction into an income tax credit and Basic and Enhanced STAR benefits would be frozen at last year’s levels.

“The STAR program is a critical investment that has proven to be one of the most effective in providing Queens homeowners with deductions on their property tax bills,” said Rozic. “Enacting the Governor’s proposals would be a disservice not only to current and new homeowners, but also to efforts made to protect taxpayers and make New York’s property tax system transparent and equitable.”

In Northeast Queens where property tax rates are among the highest, the proposals to the STAR program are cause for concern. Working and middle class families and seniors enrolled in STAR currently receive a direct deduction on their property tax bills. If transformed into an income tax credit, homeowners would have to pay a property tax increase prior to getting their money back after filing their income taxes.

Further, the Governor’s proposal to freeze STAR at 2015-16 levels poses a threat to the growth of exemption benefits homeowners rely on to defray the costs of rising property taxes. If enacted, low-income seniors on Enhanced STAR would be severely impacted by the reduction in savings.

In the letter, Rozic urges the Assembly to reject the proposals once again. The Governor’s proposals put forth in the budget last year were met with opposition given the Assembly’s efforts to address increasing property tax rates across New York.

Rozic has long been committed to bringing Department of Finance representatives into the community to explain exemption programs, eligibility and guidelines, and registration process directly to Queens homeowners. Every year her office receives a high volume of calls from constituents seeking assistance with understanding property tax bills, filling out exemption forms, or appealing the assessed value of their property.