Paying taxes is rough. Whether you own a home, or not that April 1st deadline can strike fear and stress in anyone. For some lucky tax payers that stress will soon be slightly alleviated. The rebate checks many have been waiting for are beginning to arrive in the mail, and it may even arrive if you're NOT expecting it.

The tax credit rebate check could be worth over $200, and the best part is you didn't have to apply for the rebate to possibly receive one. The first source of this rebate money comes from the Property Tax Freeze Credit. To receive the freeze credit for 2016, according to the NY State Dept. of Taxation and Finance website:

You must receive the STAR property tax exemption or STAR credit and your home must be located in a taxing jurisdiction that has complied with the New York State property tax cap, and developed a Government Efficiency Plan to reduce costs and had it approved by the Division of the Budget.

Another reason you may receive a rebate check is the Property Tax Relief Credit. According to that page on the NYS Dept. of Taxation website it states, for each year you are eligible for the property tax relief credit, you will automatically receive a check. To qualify, you must:

  • Live in a school district that is complying with the New York State property tax cap
  • Receive either the Basic or Enhanced STAR property tax relief, and have an income of $275,000 or less.

If you live in Upstate New York and qualify for the above tax credit, you will receive close to $185.

Be sure to look closely at your mailbox in the next few days to see if your state government is returning some of your hard-earned money. It's always important to see what tax credits and refunds you may be eligible for. For all tax information you can always visit the state's website for taxes and finances.


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