For homeowners in New York State with the Basic STAR (School Tax Relief) exemption, a recent update could mean some additional paperwork. Typically, once applied, the STAR exemption runs on autopilot year after year, offering relief in the form of a property tax credit. However, this year, many may soon receive a letter requiring further verification to continue receiving the benefit, according to Dan Hust, Communications Director for Sullivan County Government.
The STAR exemption is a property tax break designed to reduce school taxes for eligible homeowners. It’s typically delivered as a credit on property tax bills, not as a direct check. The state’s Office of Taxation and Finance has updated its regulations, and as a result, many homeowners will be asked to provide additional documentation to maintain their exemption.
Those receiving a letter will be required to submit the following information:
- Names and Social Security numbers of all property owners and their spouses
- The name of the school district where the property is located
- The date of purchase of the property
- The most recent school tax bill
- 2023 federal or state income tax returns for all property owners and spouses residing at the property
The state’s move is part of an effort to ensure the exemption goes to the right people and to keep their records accurate. However, homeowners who receive the STAR exemption as a credit should be aware that they must respond within 45 days of receiving the letter. If they don’t, they could lose the benefit.
For those unsure whether they’ll need to submit the additional information, Hust recommends a proactive approach. Homeowners should call the state’s Office of Taxation and Finance at 518-457-2036 to check. When calling, it’s helpful to have your property’s section, block, and lot number (SBL), which can be found on your tax bill, he says.
Hust says “Do not contact your local assessor or the Office of Real Property Tax Services at the county level, as they won’t be able to assist in verifying this information. Only the state can confirm or deny whether you need to submit more documentation.”
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This is unacceptable the state has all the most current information that it needs. I suppose the next thing will be the military tax adjustment. Fixing things when they are not broke and hiring more people in the tax department to cover this is unacceptable.
How do you report people that claim star and Don live on the property
Who cares if they live there? As long as they still pay taxes, they’re eligible.
They’re not, it has to be their primary residence.
That’s not true. It’s only for homeowners who live in the Ouse. If your property is empty, you are renting it out or using it as a short term rental like Airbnb or Vrbo you are not eligible for the deduction from star.
Call the number in the article or your local tax office and they can take the information or advise you if you need to report it to another agency
I can provide all information needed, except the house I live in I inherited.
Paulalee1129@gmail.com – Ialso wish to know how to report owners not residing on the property.
It’s ok if you inherited the house as long as you live there and are paying the property and school taxes
I never received any letters we are disabled now on social security only .
Mail service is terrible. When are the letters being sent out?
They changed the scale and lowered the maximum amt . Senior home owners can make , Hochul changed it , from 50.000 to 29.000 she has got to go , she wants to help illegals but not us U S citizens . This has to change it should be higher not lower because of the high inflation rates and our town went to full 100 % assessments making home values sky rocket , this has to end taxes are way too high
Stop spreading false information! The amounts you listed are absolutely incorrect
The income levels in the previous comment are incorrect. Maybe he was thinking of a different program.
From the apply for STAR website:
Are you eligible for STAR?
If you own your home, it’s your primary residence, and
your income is $500,000 or less, you’re eligible for the
Basic STAR credit.
In addition, if you’re 65 or older with an income of $107,300 orless, you may be eligible forthe EnhancedSTAR credit.
In your first year at your new home, you may receive the prior owner’s STAR exemption. In future years, as
long as you’re eligible, you’ll receive a STAR credit payment. You don’t need to register again.
What illegals got to do with star program? They can’t buy houses or make your taxes higher. Is the system we live in that make this to happen. Number 1 is school taxes and number 2 is the fire department with all their spending and having parties for their families. If you don’t believe me look to a car accident, you will see six to ten vehicles a trucks at the scene of the accident, is this necessary? Without counting police patrols and officers. Think about it.
Yes it’s absolutely necessary! There needs to be firefighters to control traffic, if needed extract people from the vehicles, provide first aid until the ambulance arrives. And if you are seeing a bunch of private vehicles it means they are volunteering! And the so called parties are usually training or fundraising events. Why don’t you volunteer instead of complaining! If you ever need them to get you or your family who are stuck in a wrecked car before it catches fire or before the die because they are mangled in thousands of lbs of metal or fiberglass you won’t be whining about the help. Or if your house or a local business catches fire next to your property you will be the first to phone and expect a fast response. And you should be grateful for that.
You are talking about the Basic Star Program. What about beneficiaries of the Enhanced Star Program? Are we going to get a letter also? Thank you.
Is this a SCAM (looks like one) as they already have the info on file of people who are on the STAR PROGRAM
Nothing has changed (unless you move you have to reapply)
If your both over 65 do you reapply to receive more money for the enhanced star program?
No it’s not a scam. It’s because homeowners don’t notify their county assessor office when they move leaving the property empty or they rent out their home or turn it into an Airbnb or Vrbo or something similar