Hochul highlights next phase of STAR tax relief going to millions of New Yorkers

Nearly 3 million to receive $2.2 billion in total tax relief; phase 1 of STAR program delivered benefits to eligible homeowners and seniors with school tax due dates in June & July; phase 2 delivers STAR benefits to homeowners with school tax due dates in August, September, October

√ Visit ny.gov/STAR to track check delivery or enroll in direct deposit

Submitted by the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the start of phase two of the School Tax Relief (STAR) program benefit season. Eligible homeowners in communities with school tax due dates in August or September will start receiving their STAR benefit in the coming weeks. Most homeowners eligible for a STAR credit will receive a check between $350 and $600. Most seniors eligible for an Enhanced STAR credit will receive a check between $700 and $1,500. STAR recipients can visit ny.gov/STAR to track their check delivery or enroll in direct deposit.

“The STAR program provides needed school tax relief to millions of New York homeowners – and the program is now in full swing,” Hochul said. “During a time of financial uncertainty due to funding cuts by Republicans in Washington, my administration is putting money back in the pockets of families with check and credit deliveries continuing to go out to hundreds of thousands of homeowners statewide.”

New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller said, “Visit our STAR resource page to sign up for STAR if you are a new homeowner and, if you’re an existing homeowner, to check on when your STAR credit or direct deposit will arrive.”

Phase one saw STAR credits and checks delivered to parts of the state with school tax due dates in June and July – including New York City, Yonkers, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse. STAR deliveries to these regions were completed last week.

The STAR program provides property tax relief to eligible New York state homeowners. During STAR benefit season, which runs from June to November, nearly 3 million homeowners will receive more than $2.2 billion in property tax relief through the program.

Homeowners who are eligible and enrolled in the STAR program receive their benefit each year in one of two ways: as an exemption that reduces their school tax bill, or as a credit issued as a check or direct deposit.

Those who receive the STAR credit as a check or direct deposit can visit the STAR credit delivery schedule to learn when credits will be issued in their area. Property owners who are looking for details about STAR credits that have already been issued should visit the property tax credit lookup.

Enroll in STAR 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.

In Western New York, 320,000 participants will share the $178.5 million available in STAR tax relief.

State Sen. April N.M. Baskin said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul, a substantial number of New York residents, including 320,000 in Western New York, will have more money in their pockets over the next few months because of the STAR tax relief program. In these uncertain economic times, this program is particularly helpful to working families and older residents who benefit from such meaningful financial relief.”