Rick Karlin is reporting for the Times Union that if property owners do not change the way they receive their School Tax Relief property tax break, it could cost them money. The latest adjustments to the program are moving the program toward a rebate model rather than direct reduction. Beginning this fall, those who choose to receive their savings as an exemption, or a reduction on their tax bill rather than getting a rebate check will not receive the annual increase of up to 2 percent, in savings. And anyone with an income between $250,000 and $500,000 could lose their tax break entirely if they fail to sign up for a check. The STAR program was designed to help ease the burden of school taxes by lowering the amount at which a home is assessed for property tax purposes. The program is available to property owners with an income of $500,000 or less. The latest change is expected to take many homeowners by surprise, even though the state says it will be informing people of the change in the coming months. “I foresee there being a lot of angry taxpayers,” said David Friedfel, Director of State Studies at the Citizens Budget Commission, a spending watchdog group. Read the full story in the Times Union.