State senator double dipped on rebate

OLEAN, N.Y. (WIVB) - A state senator from Olean blamed her husband for a tax error, but the town assessor says it was an honest mistake.

The Times Union of Albany initially reported Senator Catharine Young was collecting property tax relief on a condo she owns outside of Albany as well as her home in Olean. The STAR program only allows applicants to apply for partial property tax exemption on their primary home.

Young said her husband made the mistake, but county officials say the rebate was mistakenly carried over after the state senator and her husband bought the property. Officials say the couple never proactively sought the rebate, but that they also never pointed out they were mistakenly receiving it.

At the same time, county officials say they never noticed the Youngs were erroneously benefiting.

The couple is adding-up how much money they will have to pay back.

The full statement from John Harkin, Town of North Greenbush assessor, to Senator Young explaining the situation follows:

I have researched the STAR exemption on the property in the Town of North Greenbush and found that the exemption was on the property prior to your purchasing it. I have the STAR application confirming the date of the exemption by the previous owner.

The assessor sent a STAR application to the North Greenbush address after your purchase however it was returned by the Post Office. She unfortunately did not remove the exemption off the property and the exemption has remained on the property erroneously.

While a careful reading of the School Tax bill would have revealed this fact it appears there was no affirmation action taken by either you or your husband to claim this STAR exemption. It certainly appears to me that this was an honest error by both parties.

Sorry for any troubles this has certainly caused you in the past few days. If I can be of further help please do not hesitate to call me.