Television-Quality Video Clips:

• New York State Tax Commissioner Thomas H. Mattox (English)
• La Portavoz Jacqueline King (Español)

The New York State Tax Department announced today that it has started mailing STAR Registration letters to more than 564,000 homeowners in New York City.  

All homeowners receiving the Basic STAR exemption must register with the State in order to continue receiving the exemption in 2014 and thereafter; the requirement applies even though New York City homeowners initially applied to the New York City Department of Finance. 

The mass outreach is part of a statewide campaign that will reach 2.6 million homeowners across New York.  Statewide, more than 750,000 homeowners have already registered for their Basic STAR exemptions – nearly 90% of them on the Tax Department’s Web site.

“As a homeowner, you first received Basic STAR by filing an application with the New York City Finance Department,” said Commissioner Thomas H. Mattox.  “As part of the Governor’s reform initiative, however, you also must register with the New York State Tax Department – one time only – to continue receiving the exemption.” 

The registration facilitates Governor Cuomo’s initiative to protect New Yorkers from fraud and waste in the STAR Program.  The STAR exemption is only available on a homeowner's primary residence - though a recent investigation by the New York State Tax Department showed some homeowners were claiming the exemption on more than one property. 

Letters are being mailed in New York City the week of September 23^rd.  Homeowners have until December 31, 2013 to register.  

Registration on the Tax Department Web site - www.tax.ny.gov - is fast, easy, secure, and takes most homeowners only two to four minutes to complete.  Homeowners without Internet access can register with a Department representative by calling 518-457-2036.

The STAR exemption is available for owner-occupied, primary residences where the combined income of resident owners and their spouses is $500,000 or less.  Married couples with multiple residences are only eligible to receive one STAR exemption.  

Senior Citizens Receiving Enhanced STAR Not Impacted

The registration applies only to Basic STAR recipients.  Senior citizens receiving the Enhanced STAR exemption are not affected by the registration.  Seniors must, however, take steps to ensure they continue receiving Enhanced STAR. Seniors receiving Enhanced STAR who reside in New York City will be contacted by the NYC Department of Finance when they need to renew.

STAR Registration impacts Basic STAR exemptions for 2014 and beyond; it doesn’t impact 2013 exemptions.  Homeowners will not have to re-register every year – based on the information provided in the registration process, the Tax Department will monitor homeowners’ eligibility in future years.

For more information

• Register online at www.tax.ny.gov
• Call 518-457-2036 to register by phone
• STAR Registration Media Center includes graphics, fact sheets and other press-friendly links
• Youtube video
• Online demo
• Follow us on Twitter for real-time STAR Registration updates

En Español

• Regístrese en línea al http://www.tax.ny.gov/language/espanol/star_reg_spa.htm
• Llame al 518-457-2036 para registrarse por teléfono
• Hoja informative (fact sheet)
• Cartel (poster)
• Tarjeta (palm card)