County sending out Sandy refunds

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Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos said that 6,700 refund checks, Long Beach will receive 1,324, the most, beginning on Dec. 23 through early next month to compensate homeowners whose tax assessments were not reduced for the tax years 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 to reflect the damage incurred from Hurricane Sandy.
Maragos said the average refund is $3,100 with 5 percent of the refunds more than $5,000. There are about another 2,000 applicants whose claims require further review by the county assessor. Those refunds may take “somewhat longer” and could total up to $9 million.
“I am happy that Superstorm Sandy affected homeowners and businesses are finally getting relief for the damages they suffered,” Maragos said in a prepared statement. “I apologize of the payments took longer than originally expected but we had to verify every claim and ensure that our residents received the maximum reimbursements allowed by law.”
Under the Superstorm Sandy Assessment Relief Act of 2013, the county adjusted, retroactively, any property tax assessment to account for losses in value due to Sandy. Nassau bonded $35 million to pay for the anticipated storm property tax over-assessments with the knowledge that the state committed to repay the county.
“While some taxpayers received a credit on their tax bills already, I’m happy to learn that checks are now on their way to those who haven’t yet received this important tax relief,” County Executive Ed Mangano said in a press release.