New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
518-45-PRESS (518-457-7377)
geoffrey.gloak@tax.ny.gov

December 04, 2013

Tax Department Reminds Homeowners of Weeklong STAR Registration Events in New York’s Largest Cities

With 800,000 who haven’t registered, Department mobilizes direct assistance in Brooklyn, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Binghamton and Long Island

New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Thomas H. Mattox reminded taxpayers today of weeklong STAR Registration events in major population centers across the State. Through Friday, STAR experts from the New York State Tax Department will provide direct assistance to homeowners in six cities and Long Island.

With four weeks until the December 31 registration deadline, more than 1.9 million homeowners have registered for their Basic STAR exemptions. The statewide events build on a robust campaign to register each of the eligible 2.7 million Basic STAR recipients.

“To ensure that every eligible homeowner continues to receive the savings they deserve, we’re mobilizing staff to directly assist homeowners with their registration,” said Commissioner Mattox. “Don’t miss out on hundreds of dollars in tax savings each year – register at one of these sites, online or by phone as soon as possible.”

Tax Department staff will assist homeowners at the seven STAR Registration locations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through December 6^th.

	Percent Registered	Number of Basic STAR Homeowners Not Registered	Event Location
Binghamton/Broome County	77%	8,311	State Office Building, 44 Hawley Street
Buffalo	63%	11,275	Senator Walter J. Mahoney State Office Building, 65 Court Street
Capital Region	81%	30,342	Empire State Plaza Concourse, Albany (in front of McDonalds)
Long Island	69%	175,092	Perry B. Duryea State Office Building, 250 Veteran’s Memorial Highway, Hauppauge
New York City	53%	266,727	Shirley A. Chisholm State Office Building, 55 Hanson Place, Brooklyn
Rochester	61%	9,923	City Hall, 30 Church Street
Syracuse	68%	5,177	Senator John J. Hughes State Office Building, 333 East Washington Street

The registration – the first of its kind since the STAR Program began 15 years ago – follows a Tax Department study that found tens of thousands of homeowners receiving STAR on more than one residence. Governor Cuomo directed the Tax Department to develop a simple process for homeowners to continue receiving their rightful relief, while eliminating fraud and waste in the program.

The Basic STAR exemption is available on the primary residence of homeowners with incomes under $500,000. The exemption saves the average property owner $700 annually.

Senior citizens receiving the Enhanced STAR exemption are not impacted by the registration.

Easy registration options

Eligible homeowners can register in one of three ways:

In person at a local registration event
Online at www.tax.ny.gov - online registration takes only two to four minutes
Call 518-457-2036

For more information

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NYS Department of Taxation and Finance