Budget
STAR Program
All New York State residents who own their own homes can significantly reduce their school property taxes through a School Tax Reduction (STAR) exemption, regardless of age or income.
Even though all homeowners are eligible for a STAR exemption, please note that the savings are not automatic. To receive your STAR tax cut, you must file an application with your local property assessor by March 1. If you have applied previously and been granted the Basic STAR exemption you do not need to reapply. However, remember to notify your assessor if your primary residence changes. Seniors who apply for the enhanced exemption must reapply each year.
To obtain an application contact your local assessor’s office.
Learn more the STAR program and download the necessary forms online
New York State Office of Real Property Services Q&A brochure (PDF)
Every year, STAR exemptions for every municipality change based on the municipalities' equalization rates (which are affected by the housing market). The state mandates that STAR exemptions for every municipality must be at least a certain percentage of what they were the previous year. Up until 2007, the STAR exemption had to be at least 95 percent of what it was the prior year in any given municipality. In 2008, that "floor" of 95 percent was reduced to 90 percent in response to changes in the housing market. This year, it's down to 89 percent. This can affect the amount of property tax you pay.
Overview of STAR
There are two standard STAR exemptions--Basic and Enhanced. Up until this year, there
STAR is a state program that the district has no control
over. The New York State STAR program is intended to be solely a state tax
relief program—NOT state aid for education.
Up until last year there were two parts to the STAR program – the Basic and
Enhanced STAR exemptions and the middle class STAR rebate. During the 2009-10
fiscal year, the state Legislature voted to discontinued the rebate program –
however, the exemption program is still in place.
It is important for all taxpayers in New York State to understand how the STAR
program works, because by taking advantage of it property owners can save
hundreds of dollars a year on their school taxes.
All South Colonie taxpayers are eligible to receive a tax exemption through the
state’s Basic STAR exemption, which is available to all property owners, or the
Enhanced STAR exemption, which is for seniors. The STAR exemption program was
enacted by the state Legislature in 1997.
Through this program, a certain amount of the true value of a person’s home or
property is exempt.
In 2007, the state Legislature created the “Middle Class STAR” program to
provide a further benefit to homeowners with incomes below $250,000. For the
first two years of the program, this benefit was provided in the form of a
rebate check and was in addition to the Basic and Enhanced STAR program. In
2009-10, because of the state of the economy, the state Legislature decided it
could no longer afford this rebate program and so it was eliminated.
Anyone who has questions about STAR should call their town assessor or go online
to www.orps.state.ny.us.
- > The Basic STAR Exemption
- > The Enhanced STAR Exemption
The Basic STAR Exemption is
for
For all other homeowners, this means that approximately $30,000 of
your home's full-property value will be exempt from school taxes.
The Enhanced STAR Exemption:
Available to homeowners age 65 and older. Enhanced STAR will exempt the first
$60,100 of your property's assessed value from school taxes. An income standard
must be met to qualify for Enhanced STAR
Middle Class STAR Program has been discontinued by the state
In 2007, the state Legislature created the “Middle Class
STAR” program to provide a further benefit to homeowners with incomes below
$250,000. For the last two years, this benefit was provided in the form of a
rebate check and was in addition to the Basic and Enhanced STAR program.
This year, because of the state of the economy, the state Legislature decided it
could no longer afford this rebate program and so it was eliminated.
The Middle Class STAR Rebate Program has been eliminated in the New York State
budget. The program was introduced last year and provided a rebate check to
homeowners who received the STAR exemption on their property tax bill.