Nassau County Tax Assessor Harvey Levinson revealed Monday hundreds of wealthy Long Islanders received tax breaks designed for the elderly and working classes.

According to Levinson, lawmakers designed the STAR property tax rebate to offset high school taxes for the elderly. This past year, though, Levinson says more than 160 elderly residents with homes worth more than $1.5 million accepted checks. With an income ceiling of $67,000, Levinson says some people used sophisticated accounting techniques to make their income meet the STAR requirements.

Some wealthy homeowners claim they still need the rebate, despite a real estate boom that spiked their home's value. Nonetheless, the 160 STAR checks that went to wealthy homeowners cost taxpayers $500,000.

For the complete interview with Nassau County Tax Assessor Harvey Levinson on the STAR program, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.Related Information: School Property Tax Exemption Questions and Answers STAR Applications and Instructions The City of New York