NYS STAR (SCHOOL TAX REDUCTION) REBATES — RE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

On August 19th New York opened the re-registration period for the “STAR” property-tax rebate for upstate homeowners, but downstate homeowners will have to wait a few more weeks.

The massive process of sending notifications to about 2.6 million homeowners is being carried out in stages.  Notices about how to re-register will be sent to residents of Long Island, New York City and Westchester County between Sept. 16 and Oct. 4.

Regardless of where you live, homeowners will have until Dec. 31 to re-apply for the STAR rebate.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and state legislators passed a law last spring requiring the re-registration. They are trying to reduce fraud indicating that too many people have been receiving improper STAR (School Tax Reduction) rebates for second homes. The deductions are intended for primary residencies only.  Under the new law, the state will create a database that will make it easier to spot cheaters.

The STAR program is open to owner-occupied, primary residences, where the combined income of resident owners and their spouses is $500,000 or less. The average STAR benefit is $700.

Once the enrollment period begins for a region, residents will receive a letter containing a STAR “code” that will be used to register.

Senior citizens who are already enrolled in the “Enhanced STAR” program aren’t affected by the new STAR requirement. However, they must continue to apply annually for Enhanced STAR or participate in the tax department’s income verification program.

For more information on the re-registration, click here: STAR REBATE INFORMATION

If you need any assistance or have any questions regarding the STAR re-registration, or have any legal issues of concern you would like to discuss, please contact our firm.