Letter: Widen circle for rebate checks
A New York State tax rebate check issued in September 2014 to families who in 2012 had incomes between $40,000 and $300,000, and claimed at least one dependent child under age 17. Credit: Bonnie Hede Striegel
I find it amazing that New York State officials are so naive about the needs and wants of the people who elect them ["State warns of a tax rebate scam," News, Oct. 1]. It's deplorable that tax rebate checks that are now being mailed to selected taxpayers who claimed at least one child younger than 17 in 2012.
I pay the same amount of money in school property taxes as the people who are getting rebate checks, yet according to state officials' assessment, I will not receive anything.
My children obtained high school diplomas but are unable to leave home because of the high taxes and cost of living on Long Island and New York State. Two of my children are in college, which I pay for with no rebates. Another is working at minimum wage.
I work hard, pay my taxes, pay my bills and try to survive to stay here where I grew up. I find the rebate program highly discriminatory, unfair and offensive!
Maryann Brown, East Islip
