New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo announced today that the state Senate passed legislation he sponsored that would help more taxpayers access the Enhanced STAR tax exemption.  

 

Sen. Griffo's bill (S.5069), which was introduced by the senator after hearing from constituents, would allow a retroactive, one-time extension to filers seeking the exemption who may have missed the filing deadline. Individuals would have to ask for an extension via written request.

 

Sen. Griffo said that unexpected health and family issues, as well as general confusion about eligibility, can lead to a first-time filer missing the deadline for the Enhanced STAR program.

 

“The Enhanced STAR program is intended to provide relief to property owners,” Sen. Griffo said. “The state should not make them wait longer than is necessary to start utilizing this benefit, especially due to an unforeseen circumstance or genuine misunderstanding of their eligibility. My bill would help more New Yorkers access the STAR program the first year they are eligible as opposed to having to wait for the next filing cycle to start.”

 

Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon has introduced a companion bill (A.11350) in the Assembly. The bill is in the Assembly’s Standing Committee on Real Property Taxation.

 

“The Enhanced STAR Program was enacted in the late nineties to provide tax relief to our senior citizens,” Assemblywoman Buttenschon said. “This bill is to assist the initial applicants that may have not been aware or misplaced deadline dates.  This would also be a one-time request.  Rising costs for our seniors have always been a concern for my office and this bill is one way to support our seniors.”

 

The passage of Sen. Griffo’s bill by the Senate comes after the Senate Republican Conference previously proposed a “Keep What You Have Earned” legislative package that would deliver real tax relief to all New Yorkers.

 

The “Keep What You’ve Earned” legislative package includes: 

 

S.9110 - New York State has the highest individual tax burden in the nation. “The Taxpayer Rescue Plan” provides $37 billion in tax relief to New York residents over its 10-year implementation without having to cut funding from vital state programs as its cost would be absorbed through natural growth of the economy. It would eliminate state personal income tax on first $50,000 for single filers and $100,000 for married filing jointly and lower the tax rate to 4% for single filers up to $250,000 and $500,000 for married filing jointly.

 

S.1296 – This legislation establishes an annual spending growth cap on the State Budget that limits the growth of state operating funds spending.

 

S.1308 – The bill requires a two-thirds vote from each house of the State Legislature to impose or extend taxes, a two-thirds vote from local legislative bodies to impose or extend local taxes, and a two-thirds vote from local legislative bodies requesting an imposition or extension of taxes by the state legislature.

 

S.1487 – This bill reduces the amount small businesses and farms must pay in taxes by increasing the corporate tax threshold from $390,000 to $500,000 and lowering the rate to 2.5%. It expands the small business exemption to all PIT businesses regardless of whether they have employees, increases the threshold to $500,000, increases the exemption to 15%, and increases the exemption to 20% for farmers.

 

S.3914 – The legislation provides for no state income tax on overtime.

 

S.5519 – This bill reduces the property tax burden on homeowners by providing for a 10-year state takeover of the local share of Medicaid for local governments subject to the two percent property tax cap.

 

S.8489 – The legislation freezes real property taxes for three years to provide relief to New York homeowners.

 

S.587 – The bill provides for no state income tax on tips.

 

“New Yorkers are overburdened and face significant challenges due to the high cost of living in the state,” Sen. Griffo said. “Onerous taxes, along with sky-high utility rates and other rising costs, have made it more difficult for residents and families to get ahead. As a result, too many have left for better opportunities elsewhere. The 'Keep What You Have Earned' legislative package that we have proposed will help to make life easier for New Yorkers by providing much-needed relief. It will cut taxes on residents, homeowners, businesses and farms and make the state more affordable and prosperous for years to come.”

 

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