STAR Program Changes Update
Recent law changes have been made to the STAR Program in this year’s state budget deal.
Per the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance:
As a result of recent law changes, some homeowners will receive a STAR check directly from New York State instead of receiving a school property tax exemption. The amount of your benefit will be the same regardless of how you receive it.
Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, new STAR applicants will need to register with the Tax Department to receive a STAR check. Registration will begin soon.
Current STAR exemption recipients
- Current Basic and Enhanced STAR exemption recipients will keep their exemption as long as they continue to own their current home.
- Current Enhanced STAR exemption recipients who are not enrolled in the Income Verification Program must continue to file a renewal application with their local assessor each year.
These changes affect new home owners as well as property owners who move. The STAR benefits will now be in the form of a rebate check as opposed to a reduction in the property’s taxes.
As always, AIS remains vigilant in its efforts to identify problems, build solutions and report the information that will best serve the title industry. Additional copies of this release, any updates as well as all past alerts can be found on our website https://nydata.edatatrace.com.
For more information on the New York State STAR program, visit: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/star/