Politics on the Hudson

   The state Department of Taxation and Finance will begin mailing property tax rebate checks Sept. 29 to homeowners who qualify for the 2008 Middle Class STAR Rebate Program. The mailing will continue through the end of October.

   Unlike last year, most homeowners do not have to apply for the rebate in 2008. If a household’s 2008 property information is unchanged from last year, no reapplication is necessary. Homeowners will get their checks automatically.

   Property owners who did not apply in 2007 and homeowners whose property information changed during the past year have to apply. Applications will be mailed out automatically, beginning Sept. 29. The deadline for turning them into the state is Dec. 31. Rebates and applications will be mailed in alphabetical order, by county.

   Nearly 3.3 million households may be eligible for a STAR rebate, which is in addition to the STAR property exemption on taxpayers’ school tax bills. The state expects it will pay out more than $1.1 billion this year through the rebate program. The maximum Basic STAR rebate goes to upstate homeowners who earn $90,000 or less, and New York City metropolitan area homeowners who make $120,000 or less a year. Taxpayers who make more than $250,000 annually are not eligible for the rebate but continue to receive the STAR exemption on their school-tax bills.

   For more information or to apply online, visit the Tax Department’s Web site.