English/Spanish Public Service Announcements (30 seconds)

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance announced today that audio public service announcements (PSA’s) are now available for download in English and Spanish.   Each PSA runs for 30 seconds. 

The PSAs are part of a multi-faceted communications campaign to reach 2.7 million homeowners who qualify for Basic STAR.   Statewide the average homeowner saves $700 as a result of the exemption, which they must register for to continue receiving the benefit in 2014, and beyond. 

Nearly 2.1 million homeowners - 78% - have registered for their exemptions. 

Along with the PSAs, to ensure that every eligible homeowner registers by the deadline, the Tax Department has participated in more than 225 local registration events, fielded more than 500,000 phone calls, and sent out multiple mailings – directly to taxpayers, as well as to local officials in every city, town and school district.  

The registration facilitates Governor Cuomo's 2013-14 Budget initiative to save New York taxpayers millions by eliminating inappropriate exemptions.  The Basic STAR exemption is available on the primary residence of homeowners with incomes under $500,000. The new registration stems from a Tax Department investigation that found thousands of taxpayers receiving STAR exemptions on more than one property.

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

To register, visit www.tax.ny.gov or call 518-457-2036.  Translators stand ready to assist speakers of all languages via telephone.  The Department is offering extended STAR Hotline hours - 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. weekdays, and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays. 

Map of registration by county

List of registration by municipality

STAR Registration fact sheets are available in 7 languages
English
Spanish
Chinese
Russian
Italian
Korean
Haitian Creole