By Larry Gordon
The Jewish community in New York, by and large, might carry the heaviest tax and financial burdens of any one specific group or community anywhere in the country. Just take a look around. There are the conventional taxes that we pay on earned income, then there is tuition for yeshiva, shul memberships, the desire to support other institutions both here and in Israel, and on and on it goes.
So when the opportunity presents itself to finally receive some real, legal, and proper tax relief, it is almost sinful to just turn the other way. Frankly, I do not understand the tax system. When we moved to Nassau County 23 years ago, I had no idea why the real-estate taxes here were so much higher than in New York City. That was simply the way it was and you either accepted it as a fact of life or moved to Staten Island, Monsey, or New Jersey.
This is where Shalom Maidenbaum and Ilyse Sternberg come into the financial picture. I’ve known both of these attorneys for quite a few years and have sat around their conference-room table in Cedarhurst more than several times in an attempt to absorb and comprehend tax policy around here, why the taxes are so high, and how they can manage to get the county to reduce them for us.
Property-tax assessments probably work exactly the opposite of the way you might believe. The way I understand it from Maidenbaum and Sternberg, there is the cost involved in running and managing the county, and then there are the assessed values of the homes—which, according to the firm, number close to 400,000 taxable homes or entities.
Now the assessed value of your home can obviously fluctuate as dictated by market conditions, supply and demand, and so on. As a result, the tax assessment on your home is determined to an extent by the county budget and the educational district expenses amongst other things. But how are you as an ordinary homeowner supposed to know what the financial requirements of the county or school district is in any given year?
These factors can easily translate into possibly paying higher taxes on your property than the county needs. And that is why you retain the services of Maidenbaum and Sternberg.
So it is simply—or actually not so simply—about appealing the tax assessment on your property. But you don’t want to get caught up in bureaucratic red tape and long inexplicable delays that government is notorious for.
That’s why you want familiar people like Shalom Maidenbaum and Ilyse Sternberg to tackle your tax issue. They are personable and will take the time needed to explain how the otherwise seemingly complicated matter of real-estate taxes actually works. And here’s the best part for you as the homeowner—no out-of-pocket expense.
If and when the firm manages to receive a reduction in your annual real-estate taxes, all you need do is pay them 50% of your overall first-year savings.
Let’s tell it like it is: taxes are a reality that our county, state, and nation cannot function without. While President Obama loves the phrase “paying your fair share,” it’s a good and even pleasant thing when someone comes along and says, “Now wait a minute, why should folks have to pay more than their fair share?” Overpaying your taxes does not necessarily make you a good guy or any kind of hero. There is an apt description, but you probably know what it is.
So here are some other things you need to know about getting that all-important tax reassessment and reduction.
Both Maidenbaum and Sternberg acknowledge that there are a number of firms out here in Nassau County that desire to sign you up as a client. That’s all fine and good, but the attorneys say you need to be on the lookout for certain things before signing on the dotted line. For example, it is common for those soliciting your business to attempt to make multiple years of tax savings sound like what you will be saving in one year.
Some of the firm’s competitors make outlandish claims—something along the lines of saving 30% for their clients. They make it sound like their clients are saving 30% each year on their real-estate taxes. But what they are really saying is that there is a 30% total saving over a four-year period. So with the use of intentionally vague language, you get all enthused about a big saving while in reality the annual reduction is less than 8%.
For those reading this in Nassau County—where many thousands of our readers reside—you can be sure that we are the highest-taxed county in the United States. According to Shalom Maidenbaum, “We are neck-and-neck with Westchester County when it comes to high taxes.”
So the key is not just saving money, it is a matter of not being taken for a tax man’s joyride and finding out that you have been overpaying your property taxes for years, which could amount to tens of thousands of dollars.
Tax assessments and reductions are complicated issues. You need someone savvy and competent to get the job done legally and properly. For more information, visit www.MPTRG.com or write Customerservice@MPTRG.com. v
Kosher Comedy
Kenny Gluck is serious about comedy. He’s committed to presenting good, clean, and funny material that gives way to sidesplitting laughter. And that is exactly what he did last Thursday night—New Year’s Eve—at the East Rockaway Jewish Centre.
Kenny loves comedy, but as a yeshiva graduate and a father of young kids, he understands that too often comedians present an exaggerated and distasteful view of the world. That’s why about eight years ago, he came up with the idea of Kosher Komedy—professional funny people, most of whom have TV and film credits, who can fine-tune their monologue and presentations so that it is acceptable to those who do not find off-color humor particularly funny or appropriate.
And as a result, Kenny Gluck is a busy young man. “People want to laugh and be entertained,” he said before the show last week, “but they do not want to be made to feel uncomfortable, especially when they are out with friends looking for a pleasant evening.”
And word has gotten around about Kenny and his troupe, which utilizes comedians like Mike Fine and Avi Liberman, men who make two things clear—they went to yeshiva and they are funny.
Kenny mentions that this week some of his guys are performing at a charity event for a chassidic group in Boro Park and that he has done a number of jobs for Chabad organizations around the country. He has worked with a broad range of groups, including Keren Simchas Chosson V’Kallah, Ezer Mizion, NCFJE, P’eylim, HAFTR, Camp Hillel, and Camp Seneca Lake.
So you see, people want to laugh and have some fun, and perhaps the news is that there is nothing wrong with that.
Kenny is now busy booking his talented acts into hotels for Pesach. After all, how many times can you hear Lipa Schmeltzer sing? He’s got a great bunch of funny guys who have developed acts that are suitable specifically for a family Pesach crowd. They offer amazing, clean entertainment for all occasions including anniversaries, birthdays, sheva berachos, and bar and batmitzvahs. You know, it’s fun to laugh.
About 200 people attended the New Year’s Eve show, which featured Fine, Liberman, and Scott Blakeman. It was a great night of kosher laughs with excellent cuisine prepared by CK Catering.
Kenny Gluck knows his audiences and he has carved out a niche that is becoming increasingly popular and, in addition to everything else, pretty funny. To speak to Kenny, call 516-983-7654. Follow them on Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates on upcoming shows.
Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at editor@5tjt.com.