Joseph A. Griffo's posts related to Star (School Tax Relief Program)

If you own your home, and are turning 65 or older anytime during 2011, and meet the income requirements, you may qualify for the “Enhanced” STAR program that can help reduce your school taxes this year. Enhanced STAR offers a bigger break on your property taxes than Basic STAR, which is available to most other homeowners.

You must apply for this important property tax relief benefit, and the deadline is March 1, 2011 in most towns and cities. (Exceptions include Utica, which has a deadline of Aug. 1; and Rome, with a deadline of July 26. But you can still send in your application now.) You won’t have to reapply every year if you enroll in the optional Income Verification Program.