Tax refund checks coming to Sandy damaged homes

Tax relief is coming to some homeowners affected by Superstorm Sandy. Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos announced that 6,700 refund checks would be mailed by mid January, to compensate homeowners whose tax assessments were not adjusted lower for tax years 2012-13 and 2013-14 to reflect the damage from Sandy. The average refund is $3,100 with five percent receiving amounts greater than $5,000. There are about 2000 applicants whose claims still need to be investigated by the County Assessor. Those refund checks may take somewhat longer but should be out by late January early February.

Many Nassau County homeowners grieved their property taxes after Sandy, some were lowered, but many were denied. “Earlier this year the assessor sent out application forms which had to be returned to qualify for the refunds,” said county spokesman Jostyn Hernadez. “Inspectors were sent out to see the houses, or in some cases just to see a totally damaged block.”

In 2014 County Executive Mangano announced the Sandy relief initiative on October 30 of 2013. Under the “Superstorm Sandy Assessment Relief Act” Nassau County adjusted, retroactively, any property tax assessment to account for losses in value due to Superstorm Sandy. The County bonded $35 million to pay for the anticipated Sandy property tax over-assessments with the commitment from Governor Cuomo that the County would be repaid by New York State.

Oceanside has 743 homeowners who will be getting checks, which represents 11% of the total number of checks going out, Island Park has 574, which is 8.5% of the total. If you want to find out if you are on the list send an email to: NCComptroller@NassauCounty.ny.gov

“I am happy that Superstorm Sandy affected homeowners and businesses are finally getting relief for the damages they suffered,” said Comptroller George Maragos. “I apologize if the payments took longer than originally expected but we had to verify every claim and ensure that our residents received the maximum reimbursements allowed by law.”