Long Beach homeowners have been receiving their tax rebate checks in the mail as a direct result of the Long Beach Public Schools’ Tax Freeze/Government Efficiency Plan, which was approved by the New York State Division of the Budget earlier this school year.

This approval granted eligible homeowners the opportunity to receive tax rebate checks for the second consecutive year. The rebate checks were issued in the additional amount of school property tax for 2015-16 attributable to the district’s requested increase in the tax levy.

The district’s government efficiency plan follows the guidelines established in Gov. Cuomo’s 2014 Property Tax Freeze Credit legislation, and illustrated a savings of more than double the target amount of  $962,502 in each year.

To qualify for the tax credit, a household must meet the eligibility for a STAR exemption: the property must be the homeowner’s primary residence, and household income cannot exceed $500,000. Homeowners do not have to do anything additional to be eligible for the credit. Credit was calculated and eligibility reviewed by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

“We are always mindful of our taxpayers and are pleased to see homeowners in the district receiving this credit,” said Superintendent of Schools David Weiss. “Our Board of Education and Administration work diligently to provide educational programs