STAR benefit checks and exemptions reflected on school property tax bills have already started filling New Yorkers’ inboxes and mailboxes and will continue to do so through the end of the year.
The state’s School Tax Relief, or STAR, program gives eligible homeowners a break on school property taxes. Depending on a household’s location, the taxes are due in the fall or winter months every year, which also rings true for when homeowners will see the benefit.
Here’s what to know about the STAR program and how it might apply to you.
When should you expect your STAR benefit?
If you qualify for a STAR exemption, it would be reflected on your tax bill, which could appear anywhere from late August to December, depending on where you live.
If you receive a STAR credit check instead, you may have already gotten one in recent weeks. If not, you’ll be getting one soon in most regions of the state.
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For example, checks for those living in most Monroe and Westchester County areas began mailing in mid-July or late-August, while some checks for those living in Steuben and Tompkins County areas began mailing this month.
Want to know when your check is supposed to show up? Use this New York state tool to look up the delivery schedule for your area at www8.tax.ny.gov/SCDS/scdsStart.
Different municipalities will have varied due dates for school property taxes. To find out when your school property taxes are due, consult your city, town, village or school district.
If your STAR check hasn’t shown up and your due date to pay your school property taxes has passed, contact the Department of Taxation and Finance through your Online Services Account or by calling the office at 518-457-2036 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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What’s the difference between the STAR exemption and check?
The STAR benefit program provides eligible homeowners with a break on their property taxes through an up-front savings that comes directly off their tax bill — the STAR exemption — or a “credit,” which comes as a check.
The state requires that new homeowners be issued a check instead of an exemption. In order to receive an exemption currently, homeowners must have owned their home since 2015, according to state law.
Homeowners can switch from an exemption to a check, and those who opt to do so could see the value of their STAR savings increase annually because, by law, the STAR credit can increase by as much as 2% each year, according to the state. The value of STAR exemptions cannot increase.
STAR benefits also break down by demographic.
Basic STAR recipients must:
- Own and occupy a primary residence in New York
- Make under $500,000 or under per household for the STAR credit, and $250,000 or under for the STAR exemption
Seniors are eligible for Enhanced STAR if they are:
- 65 or older
- Own and occupy a primary residence in New York
- Make $93,200 or less in the 2023-2024 school year
About 2.26 million New Yorkers benefited from Basic STAR and 670,000 received Enhanced STAR benefits in 2022, according to the state Department of Taxation and Finance.
To register for STAR or to switch how you receive your benefit, go to tax.ny.gov/star.
New York State Team editor Sarah Taddeo contributed to this report.
Emily Barnes is the New York State Team Consumer Advocate Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Barnes at ebarnes@gannett.com or on Twitter @byemilybarnes. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
