Please help with Q's Re STAR program (Yonkers, Mount Vernon: condo, co-op)

[flyingdaggers]

Considering Moving to Westchester. The taxes here a SO HIGH! Can someone please explain the STAR program?

For an annual tax of $10 - 12K, how much do you get back? When does one get the rebate back? Do you pay first and then at the end of a year or quarly they give you back a check? How does this work?

Thanks!

[ambarstone]

Here is a link I found...

STAR - School Property Tax Exemption Questions and Answers

and another...

2007 Middle Class STAR Rebate Program - Application Deadline December 31, 2007 (broken link)

It seems that the STAR program has evolved since I last learned about it because there is now another type (called the Middle Class Star Rebate) that goes by income and people can apply for both.

If you own a house or condo, you should get a rebate check after you have paid your taxes.

This program does lower the tax bill but take into consideration how expensive taxes in NY are to beging with: something that pays 4000 in Fairfield, CT pays can be 50% more in NY...

[flyingdaggers]

Originally Posted by ambar371

Here is a link I found...

STAR - School Property Tax Exemption Questions and Answers

and another...

2007 Middle Class STAR Rebate Program - Application Deadline December 31, a2007 (broken link)

It seems that the STAR program has evolved since I last learned about it because there is now another type (called the Middle Class Star Rebate) that goes by income and people can apply for both.

If you own a house or condo, you should get a rebate check after you have paid your taxes.

This program does lower the tax bill but take into consideration how expensive taxes in NY are to beging with: something that pays 4000 in Fairfield, CT pays can be 50% more in NY...

Thank you very much! The middle class rebate seems to give couples with income lower than 120k a rebate of $900+ and from 120 to 175, 700+ and on and on. straight up.

But not sure how the basic STAR works? This is what it says :"The Basic STAR exemption is available for owner-occupied, primary residences regardless of the owners’ ages or incomes. Basic STAR works by exempting the first $30,000 of the full value of a home from school taxes".

But how much that come out to be? $30k exempted does not sound much-- maybe a few hundred dollars? Can someone please share info?

Also, just to make sure I understand this: one DOES have to pay taxes first and Later (how much later?) get a check for the rebate, correct?

[newtoli]

You have to pay the taxes first, and then you get a rebate check around December. My taxes are $7.5k and I got $750something back.

[westchester]

You will also get about $ 1200 back in basic star for a total savings of about 2000....where are you looking to move and what price range that makes some difference.............

[flyingdaggers]

so like what ambar said the taxes are still going to be significantly higher, even after taking into accoun the STAR rebates, than places such as Fairfield, CT. What do you guys in Westchester get for the $?

[ambarstone]

Originally Posted by flyingdaggers

so like what ambar said the taxes are still going to be significantly higher, even after taking into accoun the STAR rebates, than places such as Fairfield, CT. What do you guys in Westchester get for the $?

_________

I felt I got a lot for the money I paid when I lived in White Plains, NY. I only had a co-op which can not compare to the taxes a house would pay but felt my money was well spent. I only had a complaint on the size of my place and the co-op as a place to live in general. Good schools (for the most part), an amazing transportation system (in WP), Proximity to the Mama of all cities (oh, yes you will miss her), good green space, tons of things to do all year long, proximity to airports, and plenty of shopping. Services such electricity are awsome-only in 2003 I didn't have electricity but that was when the whole Northeast was affected. I can't say for Yonkers and Mount Vernon, but in general Westchester cty is a clean, safe place to call home.

When deciding where you'd like to live, remember you will always have to compromise with something. FF has lower prices/taxes (when compared to Westchester) but you'll be far. Westchester will be higher taxes/price but is much more convenient and practical.

[westchester]

If you look statistically places with higher taxes usually have a higher return for their money when you go to sell your house. This is because they usually have better schoolsa which in turn everyone wants and they pay more for those areas..Scarsdale, Rye ,Chap. , Edgemont, Bronxville .Also you must remember that in Conn. they tax you on other things yearly like your cars, boats, motorcycles, At the end it always also comes down to how much time are you willing to spend to commute everyday???????????? Good luck

[ambarstone]

Originally Posted by westchester

If you look statistically places with higher taxes usually have a higher return for their money when you go to sell your house. This is because they usually have better schoolsa which in turn everyone wants and they pay more for those areas..Scarsdale, Rye ,Chap. , Edgemont, Bronxville .Also you must remember that in Conn. they tax you on other things yearly like your cars, boats, motorcycles, At the end it always also comes down to how much time are you willing to spend to commute everyday???????????? Good luck

_____________
Wow! I learn something everyday on this board. I have been living in Fairfield, CT for over four months and didn't know about the car tax. Yet another good reason to move back to NY...Hope to move back by the summer so I don't have to pay them a penny.
Thanks Westchester!

[westchester]

BY ATLEAST 1/2 POINT IN 2 WEEKS YOU STILL THINK IT IS'NT A GREAT TIME TO BUY????????????????????????/