ALBANY - There's a little more time to get your tax money back.

State officials have extended the deadline for homeowners to apply for state tax rebates to December 31.

The deadline to apply for the income-based 2007 Middle Class School Tax Relief Program rebates had been Nov. 30. State tax officials said they decided to extend it because about 600,000 property owners haven't yet applied for their rebate checks.

Lawmakers expanded the program in the current state budget with about $1.3 billion.

That means this year's checks will be double the $300-$1,000 checks distributed last year.

To receive rebates, homeowners can either submit applications that have been mailed to them or apply online at www.nystax.gov.

To receive the rebate homeowners must verify the property information provided on the application.

This information includes the following: entering the names, social security numbers, and all required information for all resident property owners and their spouses and verifying the mailing address.

For more information on applying for the rebate, call the STAR hot line at 1-877-678-2769