STAR Information
The School Tax Relief (STAR) program provides eligible homeowners in New York State with relief on their property taxes.
NEW Owners or First Time Filers for STAR
As of April 1, 2016, if you are a new STAR applicant, you must register for the STAR Credit with the New York State Department of Tax and Finance, not with the Assessor’s office. STAR Credit checks are mailed to eligible property owners who are not enrolled in STAR Credit Direct Deposit via the Homeowner Benefit Portal.
Register Here or call: 518-457-2036 (8:30am – 4:30pm) Additional Information Here
EXISTING Basic and Enhanced STAR Exemption Recipients
The STAR exemption for existing STAR recipients has not changed. It is still administered by the Assessor’s Office; however, there are no longer applications for STAR exemption. Please read the important update below.
STAR exemption benefits are reductions directly on the School tax bill.
*** STAR UPDATE for 2026 ***
The 2025-2026 Enacted New York State Budget included several provisions to simplify the STAR program.
Beginning in 2026, homeowners will no longer be required to submit an application to the assessor if they had an ownership change or if they aged into the Enhanced STAR exemption. NYS Office of Real Property Tax Services (ORPTS) will notify assessors of Basic STAR recipients who become eligible for Enhanced STAR (rather than requiring seniors to apply to their assessors).
Property owners who have a change of ownership will report it to the Tax Department using the online Homeowner Benefit Portal. Homeowners without internet access can call NYS representatives at 518-457-2036.
Additional provisions take effect beginning in 2026:
- To qualify for Enhanced STAR, only one resident owner must be 65 or older.
- To be income eligible for Basic or Enhanced STAR, NYS will only consider the income of the owners and their spouses who primarily reside on the property.