Governor Kathy Hochul has confirmed that the latest round of payments from New York’s School Tax Relief (STAR) program will begin arriving next week, continuing through the summer and early fall.
Nearly three million New Yorkers will share in $2.2 billion worth of tax relief this year, designed to ease the burden of property taxes for homeowners.
Overview of the STAR Program
Since 1997, the STAR program has provided vital property tax relief to families and seniors struggling with high school tax bills. Instead of reducing taxes directly, the state sends checks or credits to cover a portion of the taxes owed to fund public education.
For homeowners earning less than $500,000, the STAR payment will range from $350 to $600. Seniors with incomes below $107,300 are eligible for the Enhanced STAR benefit, which offers between $700 and $1,500 in relief.
How the Payments Are Distributed
While some homeowners have already received their STAR savings as tax exemptions, the majority will receive their payments as credits. These will be distributed via paper check or direct deposit for those enrolled online.
Governor Hochul emphasized, “Summer is here – and it’s also the start of STAR tax relief season for millions of New Yorkers.” Payments are being distributed in phases, with some counties seeing money earlier than others, based on local school tax deadlines.
Where and When Payments Are Going Out
Residents of New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, where school tax bills are due in July, have already started receiving their STAR checks.
Payments for other areas will be rolled out gradually across August, September, and into the fall. Long Island will receive the largest share, with $698 million allocated to over half a million homeowners.
Other areas include:
Hudson Valley: Nearly $489 million
Upstate New York (Finger Lakes, Western New York, Central New York): Hundreds of millions more
Capital District: $145 million for 242,000 recipients
New York City: $158 million for nearly half a million households
Enrollment and Direct Deposit Options
Homeowners who are new to the program or have not signed up should check eligibility through the state tax department’s website. The direct deposit option is available to ensure faster payment processing, although late enrollees may still receive paper checks.
The program is automatic for those already registered, so there’s no need to reapply unless there’s a change in homeownership or residency.
A Critical Relief for Homeowners
With inflation continuing to impact household budgets, the STAR payments are a much-needed relief for middle-class homeowners and seniors. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins noted that the program demonstrates New York’s commitment to working families, especially as federal assistance declines.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie highlighted that these checks would help families manage everyday costs and keep more money in their pockets.
