STAR Program Deadlines

The deadline for New York State’s School Tax Relief Program (STAR) is March 1, according to information provided by New York State Senator Ken LaValle.

STAR is a tax relief program that lowers property taxes for owner-occupied primary residences. There are two levels of STAR benefits: Basic STAR and Enhanced STAR.

Basic STAR is available to residents who own and live in their own 1- 2- or 3-family house, condominium or cooperative apartment and earn less than $500,000 a year. There is no age limit for Basic STAR.

For qualifying homeowners, Basic STAR exempts the first $30,000 of the full value of a home from school taxes. Once approved for Basic STAR, a homeowner need not reapply each year unless they move to a new primary residence.

A homeowner may already have the Basic STAR exemption, but if he or she turns 65 any time in the year 2013, he or she may be eligible for the Enhanced STAR exemption. In addition to being 65 or older, the applicant must own property used as a primary residence and the total annual income of all the owners of the property must be $79,050 or less. If these qualifications are met, a separate application for Enhanced STAR must be completed.

For qualifying seniors, Enhanced STAR exempts the first $63,300 of the full value of their home from school taxes. For those who file an annual state income tax return, they may also be eligible to enroll in the STAR Income Verification Program, which authorizes the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to verify income eligibility each year. Those who do not enroll in the STAR Income Verification Program must reapply each year for the Enhanced STAR Program.

The STAR Program is locally administered by the local town assessor’s office where homeowners may acquire and file applications between January 1 and March 1, as well as ask questions. The amount of the STAR benefit is set every year by the state and is based on the type of property owned.

The telephone number for the East Hampton Town assessor’s office is 324-4187. The number of the Southampton Town assessor’s office is 283-6020. The number for the Shelter Island Town assessor’s office is 749-1080.