Basic STAR and Enhanced STAR

🏡 What is STAR?

The STAR Program provides property tax relief to eligible New York homeowners. If eligible, you’ll receive the benefit in one of two ways:

1. STAR Exemption (Only for long-time homeowners)

  • Reduces your school tax bill directly.
  • Available only if you’ve had it since 2015 or earlier.
  • Applies to your primary residence only.
  • Not available to new homeowners.

2. STAR Credit (For new or current homeowners)

  • You receive a check or direct deposit from the NYS Tax Department.
  • You can then use it to pay your school taxes.
  • Must own and live in the home as your primary residence.
  • Income eligibility: Combined income of all owners + spouses must be $500,000 or less.

📘 Types of STAR Benefits

Basic STAR (Exemption or Credit)

  • For all primary-residence homeowners.
  • No age but income limit $500,000
  • Exempts $30,000 from the assessed value of the home (subject to adjustments).
  • Applies only to school district taxes.

Enhanced STAR (For seniors)

  • For seniors (65+ by December 31 of the benefit year).
  • Offers greater savings than Basic STAR.

     

    Starting in 2026:

    • Only one homeowner needs to be 65+.
    • You no longer apply through your local assessor.
    • NYS Tax Department determines eligibility and contacts you if you qualify.

📝 Registering for the STAR Credit (New or Current Homeowners)

What you need:

  • Names & Social Security Numbers of all owners & their spouses.
  • School district name.
  • Date of purchase & names of sellers (optional).
  • Most recent school tax bill (if available).
  • Address of any other residential properties you own.
  • Legal name of trust (if applicable).
  • Banking info (for direct deposit).
  • 2024 tax return (for 2026 benefit year).
    • If no return filed: Provide info on wages, pensions, Social Security, etc.

💻 How to Register:

  1. Create or log in to your Individual Online Services account:
    https://www.tax.ny.gov/online/
  2. Click Register and follow the prompts.

📞 No internet?
Call: 518-457-2036 (Weekdays, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM)


🔔 Important Notes:

  • You cannot receive both Basic and Enhanced STAR in the same year.
  • STAR applies after other property tax exemptions.
  • Taxable value cannot be reduced below zero.
  • Update your info regularly via the Homeowner Benefit Portal.

     

FINAL CERTIFIED STAR AMOUNTS

             
 

2024

2025

2026

Town

Basic

Enhanced

Basic

Enhanced

Basic

Enhanced

             
Altona

$32,770 

$  91,750 

$30,000 

$  86,100 

$30,000 

$  88,500 

Ausable

$33,790 

$  90,720 

$30,000 

$  86,100 

$30,000 

$  88,500 

Beekmantown

$31,100 

$  84,000 

$30,000 

$  86,100 

$30,780 

$  88,500 

Black Brook

$30,000 

$  84,000 

$30,000 

$  86,100 

$30,000 

$  88,500 

Champlain

$32,350 

$  90,590 

$30,000 

$  86,100 

$30,000 

$  88,500 

Chazy

$32,250 

$  84,000 

$30,000 

$  86,100 

$30,000 

$  88,500 

Clinton

$41,360 

$112,900 

$36,810 

$100,480 

$32,760 

$  89,430 

Dannemora

$30,730 

$  84,000 

$30,000 

$  86,100 

$30,000 

$  88,500 

Ellenburg

$35,860 

$  98,630 

$31,920 

$  87,780 

$30,000 

$  88,500 

Mooers

$32,890 

$  88,550 

$30,000 

$  86,100 

$30,000 

$  88,500 

Peru

$32,680 

$  90,130 

$30,000 

$  86,100 

$30,000 

$  88,500 

Plattsburgh

$33,770 

$  91,630 

$30,060 

$  86,100 

$30,000 

$  88,500 

Saranac

$31,310 

$  84,880 

$30,000 

$  86,100 

$27,710 

$  81,730 

Schuyler Falls

$22,700 

$  63,000 

$21,600 

$  61,990 

$20,100 

$  59,300 

City

$31,550 

$  88,350 

$30,000 

$  86,100 

$30,000 

$  88,500