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Report: Sen. Young Double Dipped on STAR Tax Exemption



Since 2001, Republican State Sen. Cathy Young of Olean has wrongly collected a STAR Tax relief exemption on two properties, according to the Albany Times Union.

"According to Olean Assessor Nancy Champlin, the Youngs first claimed an exemption on their Olean house in 1999. Records show the Youngs claimed a second exemption in North Greenbush starting in August 2001," The Times Union wrote.

The STAR - School Tax Relief - program provided homeowners with some relief from school property taxes. The program exempts the first $30,000 of the full value of a home from school taxes.  STAR exemptions applied only to school district taxes.

In recent weeks, Republicans in the State Senate - including Young - are advancing a restoration of the the STAR prorgam after it was curtailed in 2009.

"Like many families, my husband handles all of our financial matters. I just found out about this," she said in a statement sent to the Times Union . "I took immediate action to correct it. I have filed the appropriate legal documents to cancel the STAR (on the North Greenbush condo) and repay the full amount owed. The assessor is calculating how much and as soon as I have the assessor's figures, it will be paid in full."

The report cites two different timetables for the incident: In one, a Senate staffer is quoted as saying that Young learned about the troubles this past weekend, while in another, a different aide produced paperwork signed on March 2nd, and marked recieved by the Rensselaer Clerk, "renouncing the North Greenbush exemption," The Times Union said.

READ THE ENTIRE TIMES UNION STORY HERE

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Topics : Human Interest
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People : Cathy Young, Nancy Champlin, Young Double, Young Double Dipped
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