Politics & Government

Tax Refunds for Riverhead Residents in S-WR School District

Brookhaven residents already given tax refunds for undercharge of Long Island Power Authority last year.

Riverhead property owners in the Shoreham-Wading River School District will be receiving property tax refunds this year after a miscalculation property value assesment.

The Town of Brookhaven't accounting department in 2011 undercharged the Shoreham plant of Long Island Power Authority, resulting in a higher burden on the rest of the tax base. LIPA agreed to pay for the mistake in 2012.

According to the office of Legis. Ed Romaine, R-Center Moriches, and County Executive Steve Bellone, the school tax portion for Riverhead residents in SWR will be reduced by 2.6 percent this upcoming year. For those residents also in Wading River Fire District, an additional 2.6 percent will be deducted.

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If a property owner has already paid his or her full tax bill for the year, he or she will receive a refund check for the overpayment. If only the first half of taxes has been paid, the second half taxes will be reduced by the amount overpaid. For those who pay property taxes through a mortgage escrow account, the Town of Riverhead will send lending institutions an adjusted tax bill for the second half of the year.

In January, it was announced that refund, however legislation was required for Riverhead residents.

Find out what's happening in Riverheadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“In these tough economic times, it is often difficult to make ends meet," Romaine said. "Everyone is trying to do more with less and each dollar back in taxpayers’ pockets helps ease the burden.”


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