Albany, NY – Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows) announced today legislation that would repeal changes to the STAR property tax relief program. The changes converting the program from a property tax deduction into a personal income tax credit were enacted in the 2016-17 State Budget and affect first-time homeowners and those who move.

“For Queens homeowners, STAR has proven to be extremely effective in providing immediate savings that help defray the costs of rising property taxes. The changes enacted in the State Budget not only place additional financial burdens on new homeowners, but impede efforts to increase transparency and fairness in New York’s property tax system,” said Rozic.

Earlier this year Rozic wrote a letter in opposition when the proposed changes were first released in the Governor Cuomo’s Executive Budget proposal. The proposal originally set out to convert the program into an income tax credit while also freezing benefits at last year’s levels. Such a reduction in savings would have severely impacted low-income seniors on Enhanced STAR. However, lawmakers were successful in preserving the program as a property tax deduction for existing homeowners.

In Northeast Queens where property tax rates are among the highest, the changes to the STAR program are a cause for concern. While families currently enrolled in STAR will still receive a direct deduction on their property tax bills, new homeowners will receive benefits in the form of a rebate check. Under legislation proposed by Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (D-Ossining), the transition into a personal income tax credit would be repealed. The program would be kept as an exemption allowing future applicants to receive the same benefits as those currently enrolled.

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. Most recently, Rozic worked to secure an oversight hearing on property taxes and encouraged homeowners to contribute testimony that could support efforts to re-evaluate the system. 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.