New York State STAR Resource Center (Basic & Enhanced Information)

New York State STAR Resource Center

The School Tax Relief (STAR) program offers property tax relief to eligible New York State homeowners.

If you are eligible and enrolled in the STAR program, you’ll receive your benefit each year in one of two ways:

STAR credit check - If you are registered for the STAR credit, the Tax Department will send you a STAR check in the mail each year. You can use the check to pay your school taxes. You can receive the STAR credit if you own your home and it's your primary residence and the combined income of the owners and the owners’ spouses is $500,000 or less.
 

STAR exemption - a reduction on your school tax bill. If you’ve been receiving the STAR exemption since 2015, you can continue to receive it for the same primary residence. As long as you remain eligible, you’ll see a reduction on your school tax bill for the amount of your STAR exemption. **Note** The STAR exemption is no longer available to new homeowners.

Upgrade to Enchanced STAR

Receiving the STAR credit? You're all set! When you become eligible for Enchanced STAR, NYS will automatically upgrade you to the Enhanced STAR benefit.

If you are a Basic STAR exemption recipient who turns 65 and meets the eligibility requirements, you should apply to your assessor (in Lansing, this is the Tompkins County Assessment Department 607-274-5517) for the Enhanced STAR exemption.  You only need to apply once.  Click here to check your eligibility.