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Q & A ABOUT THE NEW YORK STATE SCHOOL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION (STAR)

Q. How does STAR work?
A. There are two parts to the STAR program:
Basic STAR is available to all New Yorkers who own and live in their one, two, or three family home, condominium, cooperative apartment, mobile home or farm home. Basic STAR works by exempting $30,000 of the full value of a home from school taxes. New Yorkers are eligible for this exemption on their primary residence, regardless of income or age.

Enhanced STAR is available to senior citizens (age 65 and older) who meet the income requirements. For qualifying seniors, Enhanced STAR exempts $50,000 of the full value of their primary residence. For property owned by a husband and wife, or by siblings, only one of them must be at least 65 years of age to qualify for Enhanced STAR.

Q. What is the income requirement for Enhanced STAR?
A. The Enhanced STAR plan for seniors automatically adjusts income limits based on the annual federal Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The current income limit is $70,650, and it will continue to increase at the same rate as COLA. The STAR income eligibility limit will never decrease. If the annual Social Security COLA is ever a negative amount, the STAR COLA will remain at the previous year’ level.

Q. How do I get my Enhanced STAR tax cut?
A. You must file an application with your local assessor. Senior citizens applying for the Enhanced STAR exemption must demonstrate that the combined income of all of the owners of the property, and of any owner’ spouse who resides on the premises, is no greater than the income standard for the applicable income tax year. You may do this in one of two ways:

Option 1: Traditional method. Submit a copy of your income tax return(s) for the appropriate income tax year to the assessor with your STAR application by the application deadline each year.

Option 2: STAR Income Verification Program. Supply your Social Security Number(s) and authorize the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to verify your income eligibility each year. If you choose this option, you do not need to submit an application and copy of your tax return(s) to the assessor every year. To choose this option, in the initial year you must complete form RP-425-IVP and submit it to the assessor along with a traditional STAR application and the necessary income tax return(s) by the application deadline.

Q. How do I get my Basic STAR tax cut?
A. You must file an application with your local assessor. The application has been made as simple as possible. Property owners who are granted the Basic STAR exemption will not need to reapply in subsequent years because the Basic STAR exemption is granted regardless of income. However, Basic STAR recipients will need to notify their assessor if their primary residence changes.

Q. Where do I get the STAR application?
A. The application form, RP-425, is available from your local assessor.

The application can also be found by visiting the New York State Office of Real Property Services' website.

Q. Does the STAR exemption apply to all taxes on my property?
A. The STAR exemption applies only to school district taxes. It does not apply to other property taxes such as county, town or city.

Q. How will I know how much my STAR exemption is worth in tax dollars?
A. Along with unprecedented savings, the STAR program created a Property Taxpayer's Bill of Rights which aims to keep property owners more informed than ever about their taxes. As a key component of the STAR program, your school tax bill (or other "Bill of Rights" notice) clearly states the amount of the STAR exemption and your tax savings.

Other information now included on your tax bill:
* the market value of your property;
* the percent of market value used in assessing property in your community;
* the total tax levy and percent change from the prior year;
* how to challenge your assessment if you believe it is too high;
* the uniform percentage of value being used in the assessing unit; and
* the full value of each property.
Property owners can also use this information to help decide whether their properties are being assessed fairly and correctly.

Q. If my mortgage is in an escrow account, when will I see my STAR tax reduction?
A. Mortgage institutions are required to reduce a homeowner's escrow account within one month of notification that the homeowner has received the STAR exemption. Mortgage institutions are not allowed to charge any additional fees for this adjustment.

Q. What types of properties are eligible for the STAR tax cuts?
A. STAR will reduce school property taxes on your primary residence only. To be eligible for either the Enhanced Senior Citizen STAR Tax Cut or the Basic STAR Tax Cut, you must own and live in a one-, two-, or three-family residence, mobile home, condominium, cooperative apartment, or farm home.

Q. What if part of my property is used for other than residential purposes?
A. If the property is an eligible type of property such as a one-, two-, or three-family home, and is the owner's primary residence, it may be eligible to receive the exemption despite the incidental, nonresidential use. It is the responsibility of the local assessor to make this determination.

Q. What is meant by my primary residence?
A. There is no one single factor that determines whether a property is your primary residence, but factors such as voting, vehicle registrations, and length of time spent each year on the property may be relevant. The assessor may ask you to provide proof of residency with the application. In addition, the assessor may occasionally request proof of residency after the exemption has been granted, to verify that the property remains your primary residence.

Q. I own more than one residential property. Can I receive the STAR exemption on all my residences?
A. No. The STAR exemption can be applied only to your primary residence.

Q. Do I receive a notice if I am denied the STAR exemption?
A. Yes. Assessors are required by law to notify applicants if their STAR application has been denied at least 10 days prior to the date for hearing complaints in relation to assessments.

Q. Where do I file the application?
A. With your local assessor. Do not file the application form with ORPS or any other State agency.

Q. Do I have to prove my age?
A. Senior citizens applying for the Enhanced Exemption must supply proof of age with their initial STAR application.

Q. By what date must I turn 65 to receive the Enhanced STAR exemption?
A. You may apply for the Enhanced STAR in the year you turn 65. You do not have to wait until your birthday. Remember, for property owned by a husband and wife, or by siblings, only one of them has to be at least 65 years old as of December 31 of the year in which the exemption will begin.

Q. Do I have to prove my income for Enhanced STAR?
A. Yes, if you have not already applied for the automatic income verification program. Remember, for property owned by more than one person, the combined annual income must be no greater than $70,650.

Q. I am a senior citizen whose income exceeds $70,650. Can I still receive the Basic STAR exemption?
A. Yes. And like other Basic STAR recipients, as long as you've been receiving Basic STAR in previous years on your home, you won't need to reapply unless you move.

Q. What if I buy a new home?
A. Your STAR exemption is not transferred automatically. You will have to apply for the exemption on your new primary residence.

Q. Where can I get more information about the STAR program?
A. Please call toll-free 1-888-NY-STAR-5 (1-888-697-8275). More information can be obtainedfrom the New York State Office of Real Property Services by CLICKING HERE.

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