Taxpayers get refunds after computer glitch
Suffolk County Legis. Edward P. Romaine (R-Center Moriches) addresses the board at the Evans K. Griffing building, where the Suffolk County Legislature held a meeting. (Aug. 16, 2011) Credit: James Carbone
Homeowners in Shoreham and Wading River will be getting $1.5 million in property tax refunds or credits because a computer glitch in the Brookhaven assessment office left a local Long Island Power Authority power station off the tax rolls.
According to officials, Shoreham-Wading School District taxpayers who live in the Brookhaven part of the district will receive $1.2 million. Those in the Riverhead part and the Wading River Fire District will receive about $329,000. The overcharge amounts to about 2.6 percent of the school and fire district taxes.
The tax error came to light Tuesday when the Suffolk legislature approved an emergency resolution authorizing the county treasurer to accept the $329,000 payment from Brookhaven so the money could be returned to Riverhead residents. Brookhaven is authorized to make repayments only to town residents.
Lou Marcoccia, Brookhaven tax receiver, said about 3,000 taxpayers who live in the Brookhaven part of the school district will get money back. Riverhead officials estimate about 1,700 school district taxpayers and 5,000 in the Wading River Fire District will also get money back.
Legis. Edward Romaine (R-Center Moriches), sponsor of the county measure, said those who paid their entire 2011-12 property tax bill by Jan. 10 will receive refunds. James Ryan, Brookhaven tax assessor, said those who paid half their taxes in January will have their second-half taxes due in May reduced by the amount overpaid.
Town officials say the error occurred when a consultant was updating town assessment rolls. Mark Gross, a LIPA spokesman, said the property left off the assessment rolls was a converter station in Shoreham.
