The State of New York has recently started mailing out School Tax Relief (STAR) property tax credit checks to eligible homeowners across the state. This initiative aims to provide financial relief to residents by helping reduce the burden of school property taxes.
In recent years, STAR has been changed from a direct property tax reduction to a tax credit. Let’s take a closer look at the plans offered and how you can find out if you qualify for this credit.
What is the STAR Program?
The STAR program, short for School Tax Relief, was initially designed to reduce the property tax bills for homeowners paying school taxes in their district.
However, over time, the program has evolved. Instead of offering a reduction directly on property tax bills, it now provides homeowners with a tax credit to help with the cost.
STAR Credit Plans
There are two STAR credit plans available for homeowners to choose from:
1. Basic STAR:
This plan is for homeowners who live in their primary residence. It exempts the first $30,000 of the home’s assessed value from school property taxes. To qualify for Basic STAR, your income must be under $500,000.
2. Enhanced STAR:
This plan is available for senior citizens aged 65 or older. For the 2025-2026 school year, if you are 65 or older, your income must be $107,300 or less to qualify for Enhanced STAR. It provides a higher level of relief compared to the Basic STAR.
How Do You Know if You’re Eligible?
If you own a primary residence and your income is under $500,000, you may be eligible for the STAR credit. However, for seniors aged 65 or older, the income limit is much lower to qualify for the Enhanced STAR benefit.
When Will You Receive Your STAR 2025 Credit?
The mailing of STAR checks is ongoing, and the timeline varies depending on the location. For instance, residents of Syracuse can expect to receive their checks by mid-July, while those in the Jamesville-DeWitt school district in the town of DeWitt will need to wait until late August or mid-September.
How to Check the Status of Your STAR 2025 Credit
To help make the process easier, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has launched an online tool. Through this tool, residents can check if the STAR credit checks have already been sent to their specific municipality or school district. Since the mailing dates differ by area, it’s helpful to use this tool to stay informed.
New York’s STAR program is a helpful initiative to ease the burden of school taxes for homeowners. Whether you qualify for Basic or Enhanced STAR, this tax credit can make a difference in your overall property tax bill.
To know more about your eligibility and when you can expect to receive your credit, check the online tool provided by the state’s Department of Taxation and Finance. If you haven’t received your check yet, make sure to keep track of your district’s mailing schedule.
