Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) is urging all homeowners to apply for the School Tax Relief (STAR) program prior to the upcoming March 1st deadline if they have not done so already. This program provides New York homeowners with partial exemptions from school property taxes that are taken directly off taxpayers property tax bills.
Homeowners who have not yet signed up for the STAR program can apply with their town assessor’s office.
Basic STAR is open to New York State residents who own their own one, two or three family home, condominium, cooperative apartment or mobile home. This property tax relief program is available to homeowners with household incomes of $500,000 or less and does not have to be renewed on an annual basis.
The Enhanced STAR is designed to offer tax relief to property owners who are 65 and above with an annual income level of $79,050 or less. If the property is owned jointly, only one of the owners must be 65 or above but the combined income level still must remain at or below the $79,050 threshold.
To be approved for Enhanced STAR, those who meet the criteria must file income verification forms with their town assessor’s office.
If approved for Enhanced STAR, annual renewal is required unless a property owner opts to sign up for the state’s Income Verification Program, which allows the assessor to automatically verify your income annually through the New York State Department of Tax and Finance.
Both the regular STAR program and the Enhanced STAR program apply only to primary residences and are only applicable to one address regardless of age or income.
The STAR program was initially created in New York State to assist senior citizens by offsetting the escalating cost of school property taxes. In 2000, the state extended the program to provide tax relief to all property owners by introducing the Basic STAR program and establishing the Enhanced STAR program for senior citizens.
“Homeowners across our state and particularly on Long Island deserve all the tax relief they can get and that is why it so important for them to take advantage of all available programs. The STAR and Enhanced STAR programs offer real benefits to our homeowners and I urge all homeowners to contact their town assessor to apply for this important program,” stated Senator Flanagan.
For more information regarding the STAR program and links to applications, please click here for the STAR program information section [3].
Residents can also contact their town assessor:
Brookhaven Town Hall
One Independence Hill, Farmingville 11738
631-451-6300
Huntington Town Hall
100 Main Street, Huntington 11743
631-351-3226
Smithtown Town Hall Annex
40 Maple Avenue, Smithtown 11787
631-360-7560 or the Smithtown STAR Hotline at 631-360-STAR
