The School Tax Relief (STAR) program provides eligible homeowners in New York State with relief on their property taxes.  In order to qualify, the property must be your primary residence.

If you're a STAR recipient, you receive the benefit in one of two ways:

• The STAR credit program (open to any eligible homeowner whose income is $500,000 or less) — you receive a check in the mail from the Tax Department to apply to your school taxes.
• The STAR exemption program (now closed to new applicants) — you receive a direct reduction on your school tax bill in the form of a property tax exemption.

Enhanced STAR, which provides increased savings, is available to qualifying senior citizens ages 65 and older in both the credit and exemption programs.

Please Note:  If you previously received the Basic STAR exemption and your income is between $250,000 and $500,000, you will now receive a check for the STAR credit instead of a reduction on your school tax bill, if eligible. 

If your income is $250,000 or less and you currently receive the STAR exemption, you can choose to register for the STAR credit to receive a check instead.  You may receive a greater benefit if you make the switch.

• Information regarding the STAR program may be found here.

Did the STAR value change? Though the Basic and Enhanced STAR and the STAR Credit programs are still in place, their value changes each year based on a state formula. The school district has no control of this formula which fluctuates up and down each year.