STAR Program

Homeowners can receive tax exemptions under the New York State School Tax Relief (STAR) program. Your tax bill shows the total amount you are exempt from paying under STAR. The state reimburses the schools for taxes that residents are exempt from paying under the existing STAR programs:

The Enhanced STAR Exemption - Senior citizens age 65 and older with an annual household income of less than $67,850 per year can receive an approximate $50,000 exemption on the assessed value of their home.

The Basic STAR Exemption - For all other homeowners, this means that approximately $30,000 of your home's full-property value will be exempt from school taxes.

A new Middle Class STAR rebate program, described below, provides a further benefit to taxpayers on a sliding income scale. The benefit will be provided through a rebate check and is in addition to the Basic or Enhanced STAR exemption the reduces homeowners' property taxes.

To receive STAR benefits, you must apply through your town's assessor's office.

STAR property tax rebate no longer automatic
As part of the New York State Middle Class STAR program, which was approved by the Legislature in April 2007, homeowners must file an application to get their property tax rebate checks.

There are now two types of STAR school tax reductions:

• The Basic STAR and Enhanced STAR tax exemption programs will continue as they have in the past. You must apply for the Basic and Enhanced STAR programs through the town assessor by March 1 each year.
   
• The new Middle Class STAR rebate checks will be in addition to the Basic and Enhanced STAR savings. Property owners who receive a Basic STAR exemption with an income of less than $250,000 must apply for the check because it is based on a recipient’s income.

The New York State Department of Taxation & Finance began mailing letters this summer alerting homeowners who receive the basic STAR exemption of the opportunity to apply to receive this year’s new Middle Class STAR rebate.

Notifications are being mailed to counties on a staggered basis with Duanesburg residents set to receive materials during the week of September 10. Applications must be submitted to the assessor by November 30, 2007.

Rebate amounts are based on several factors including school tax rates, the town in which the home is located and the recipient's 2005 income bracket.
 
According to New York State’s Tax Department, residents in the town of Duanesburg with a 2005 household income less than $90,000 will receive a rebate check for $365.89.

Senior citizens who are property owners and receive an enhanced STAR exemption on their 2007-08 tax bill will receive a rebate check automatically. For seniors with enhanced STAR—no application is required.

To learn more, visit http://www.tax.state.ny.us/star/2007 or call 1-877-678-2769.


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