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New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
518-45-PRESS (518-457-7377) geoffrey.gloak@tax.ny.gov October 07, 2013
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Suffolk and Westchester County Homeowners – Your STAR Registration Letters Are on the WayBasic STAR exemption provides huge school tax savings: $1750 in Westchester; $1000 in Suffolk |
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STAR Registration Video Clips: The New York State Tax Department announced today that STAR Registration letters are on their way to 290,000 Suffolk County homeowners and 170,000 Westchester County homeowners. All homeowners receiving the Basic STAR exemption must register with the State in order to continue receiving the exemption in 2014 and thereafter; the registration is required even though homeowners initially applied to their local assessors. Senior citizens receiving Enhanced STAR are not impacted by the registration. The mass outreach is part of a statewide campaign that will reach 2.6 million homeowners across New York. Statewide, more than 1 million homeowners already have registered for their Basic STAR exemptions – 90% of them on the Tax Department’s Web site. “As a homeowner, you first received STAR by filing an application with your local assessor,” 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. 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. In order to continue receiving Enhanced STAR, seniors must continue to apply annually or participate in the Income Verification Program. The new 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
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