Senator Kemp Hannon (R-6th S.D.) announced the actual amounts of property tax relief rebate checks that will be sent to area homeowners this fall. The checks are the centerpiece of the Senate's effort to provide real property tax relief to homeowners this year.

In the Plainview Old Bethpage School District, the regular rebate amount is $272.22 and the enhanced rebate for eligible seniors is $454.60. The values of homeowners' school property tax rebate checks were calculated by the state Department of Taxation and Finance, and vary based on the tax rates of individual school districts.

Senator Hannon said, "These rebate checks represent real relief, delivered direct to homeowners, from the crippling burden of rising school property taxes. We promised property tax relief in this year's budget, and soon, that relief will be delivered directly to your mailboxes."

The timing of the school property tax relief checks' arrival -- expected by Oct. 31 -- is meant to coincide with the due date for most school districts' tax bills.

Senator Hannon said that homeowners already enrolled in the STAR school property tax relief program will automatically receive rebate checks. Homeowners who have not yet enrolled in STAR -- but who are eligible -- still may enroll and will receive this year's rebate checks and will be enrolled in STAR in future years.

Seniors who meet income eligibility requirements under the "Enhanced STAR" program will receive a larger rebate check amount that is 67 percent more than the regular rebate.

In total, the Senate's school property tax relief program will provide $970 million in savings to homeowners across the state, according to the Division of the Budget.

The Department of Taxation and Finance has created a special toll-free hotline to handle inquiries about the rebate check program: 877-6-STAR-NY (877-678-2769). After Oct. 31, homeowners who do not receive checks may contact the department to inquire about their status.