State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. (8th Senate District) is reminding homeowners with the Basic STAR exemption to be on the lookout for their 2007 New York State Middle Class STAR Rebate applications. The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance will start mailing application packets to Nassau and Suffolk Counties this week.

The packets will include an application, instructions and a unique "STAR code" that identifies the applicant's property. Homeowners must complete this application in order to receive their 2007 New York State Middle Class STAR Rebate. Applications must be filed by Nov. 30.

Senior citizens who receive the Enhanced STAR exemption do not need to file an application to obtain their rebate. Those homeowners will have their checks mailed to them automatically.

2007 New York State Middle Class STAR Rebate amounts are calculated by the State Department of Taxation and Finance and are based on a combination of factors, including the homeowner's income bracket, their school district's tax rate and the city, village or town where they live. The rebate is in addition to the savings homeowners already receive through the STAR program.

Homeowners can view the site of their rebate or file their application online by visiting Senator Fuschillo's website at www.senatorfuschillo.com and clicking on the link in the "Senate update" section.