STAR INFORMATION
GREAT NEWS!
If you currently receive Basic STAR as a discount on your school tax bill, and qualify for the Enhanced STAR exemption, you DO NOT need to complete a paper application with our office. New York State will advise our office to upgrade you to the Enhanced STAR. This will be effective for the 2026/2027 school year.
Enhanced STAR qualifications:
- One owner must be 65 years of age or turning 65 years of age anytime in 2026.
- 2024 combined income of the owners and owners’ spouse must be less than $110,750.
If the Basic or Enhanced STAR is already reflected as a discount on your school tax bill, you are not eligible to receive a STAR check.
If you do not receive Basic or Enhanced STAR as a discount on your tax bill, you must apply for the STAR check program directly with New York State.
Relevant information regarding the School Tax Relief (STAR) program for the 2025/2026 school year
If you receive the STAR credit as a check each year, direct deposit is now available. STAR recipients can visit www.tax.ny.gov/star to track their check delivery or enroll in direct deposit.
Homeowners can enroll in the STAR Credit Direct Deposit program through the Homeowner Benefit Portal within the Tax Department’s secure Online Services system. Homeowners can also use the Homeowner Benefit Portal to manage their STAR benefits easily and efficiently.
The direct deposit option enables eligible STAR credit recipients to get their STAR credits without having to wait for and cash a check. To ensure they receive their STAR credit by direct deposit this year, homeowners should enroll as soon as possible. Homeowners who enroll fewer than 15 days before their STAR credit is issued will receive a check this year and direct deposit will begin next year. To find out when STAR credits will be issued in your area, use the STAR Credit Delivery Schedule lookup.
New Homeowners or homeowners that do not current have STAR, please review this STAR handout STAR Fact Sheet.
For more information about the STAR program, to apply, or if you have any questions, pleas visit the New York State STAR resource website: https://www.tax.ny.gov/star/ or call the STAR hotline at 518-457-2036.
