Governor Pataki says 3-point-4 (m) million checks will be sent out between now and the end of October. They'll be mailed to counties in alphabetical order, from Albany to Yates.

Homeowners who receive a basic or enhanced School Tax Relief (STAR) exemption on their school tax bill are eligible for the rebate and will receive one automatically without taking any further action.

Rebate amounts are determined based on a homeowner's school district. In the Albany school district, for example, homeowners who receive a basic STAR tax exemption will receive a rebate of 192 dollars. Those who receive an enhanced STAR exemption, which is for senior citizens, will get a rebate of 321 dollars.

You can see the amounts of the rebates by school district and find more information on the STAR program at www.nystax.gov .