(Long Island, NY) “Existing law requires senior citizens, who have elected not to participate in the income verification program, to go through a complex renewal process every year in order to qualify for the Enhanced STAR (School Tax Reduction) Program,” said Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Nassau). “My bill provides for a simplified renewal application process for seniors.”
Currently, senior citizens who are eligible for the state’s Enhanced STAR program must file a long and complex form yearly if they choose not to participate in the income verification program. A simplified form, especially in cases where income eligibility information remains the same, would relieve both seniors and tax assessors of needless paperwork, wasted time and unnecessarily expended energies. Hannon’s bill requires the state to develop a shorter, simplified renewal application for those already receiving the Enhanced STAR benefit.
“Several years ago, at my urging, the State enacted an income verification program for those receiving the Senior STAR,” said Hannon. “This has been a great benefit – but not everyone participates in this, for myriad reasons. For those folks, the simplified form would be a great help.”
Hannon’s bill was passed by the Senate unanimously. This bill has been sent to the Assembly.
