Local assessors say Cuomo inflated claims on STAR fraud crackdown

[hrmjustin]

Michelle Breidenbach

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a Tax Day announcement about fighting fraud that the state had saved $100 million a year by eliminating 150,000 ineligible recipients from the STAR property tax break.

But local assessors suspect many eligible homeowners simply forgot to sign up under the state's new STAR rules, and could miss out on tax breaks that average about $700 a year.

"They were completely confused," said Robert Bick, assessor for the town of Clay.

Data from the state tax department shows more than 300,000 properties that received STAR tax breaks in 2013 are no longer enrolled in the program.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/05/local_assessors_say_cuomo_inflated_claims_on_star_fraud_crackdown.html

[hrmjustin]

1. Senate bill simplifies enhanced STAR application

http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-05-07-87866.113122-Senate-bill-simplifies-enhanced-STAR-application.html