Jan. 3 tax-exemption deadline fast approaching

State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr. is reminding Nassau County residents that the deadline to file applications for New York’s STAR program and other property-tax exemptions offered by Nassau County is Jan. 3, 2011.

“All homeowners are eligible to receive savings through the STAR program, and there are other property tax exemptions in addition to STAR for which they may qualify and save more money. I urge residents to who are not already enrolled to file their applications before the Jan. 3 deadline,” said Fuschillo, a Republican from Merrick.

The STAR program works in two parts:

- Basic STAR is available to all New Yorkers who own and live in

their own home, condominium or cooperative apartment, regardless of income level or age.

- Enhanced STAR is available to senior citizen property owners whose federal adjusted gross income is under $79,050 and who will be age 65 or older by Dec. 31, 2011. If the property is owned by a husband and wife, or by siblings, only one of them must be at least 65 years old to qualify for this exemption.

Residents who already receive the Basic STAR exemption or who participate in the Enhanced STAR Income Verification Program do not need to re-file.

Residents who moved to a new house and had the STAR exemption at their previous address must file a new application. The STAR exemption is not automatically transferred to a new address.

Nassau County also offers other property-tax exemptions in addition to the STAR program. Veterans, senior citizens, members of volunteer fire departments and ambulance companies, individuals with disabilities and limited incomes, and first-time homebuyers who purchase newly constructed homes may also be eligible for additional tax exemptions.

Residents who need additional information about the Basic or Enhanced STAR program or need applications can call Fuschillo’s office at (516) 882-0630 or visit his website, fuschillo.nysenate.gov. STAR applications and information about the other tax exemptions can also be obtained by contacting the Nassau County Department of Assessment at 571-1500.