Question: I had the STAR reduction on my property tax, do I need to reapply for that each year? How do I do that and when?

Answer: I really didn’t know how to answer this question. So I did a little research, and I learned a lot. STAR is the New York State School Tax Relief program which helps homeowners in the state pay their school taxes. The program helps to reduce your property taxes on your primary residence. The STAR Credit is available to those homeowners who have an income below $500,000 per year. The STAR Exemption benefit is available to those homeowners who have an income below $250,000 per year. The Enhanced STAR is an additional benefit for those homeowners over the age of 65. For those over 65, the Enhanced Star credit is available when your income is less than $107,300. The Enhanced Star Exemption is available to those over 65 whose income is less than $110,750. In a situation where two people own the home together, only one homeowner must be over the age of 65. The income limit applies to the combined income of all owners (residents and non-residents) and their spouses who live at the property.

The income figures used this year is your income for 2024. So this income is not current income, but income that you had in the year of 2024.

To qualify for STAR you must live in the home and own the home. Once you have applied for Basic STAR it automatically renews each year. If you are applying for the Enhanced STAR you must renew this annually. This renewal is done with your local tax assessor’s office. So the town, village, city you live in has an individual(s) who will help you with the process. Most of the region sends our paperwork automatically to seniors who have had the Enhanced STAR benefit in the past.

If you don’t know if you filled it out, or have lost the paperwork call your local assessor’s office. If you turned 65 in the last year, you must apply for this Enhanced STAR benefit.

This yet another benefit about being 65! Turning 65 has soooo many benefits (I say that all the time!!).

I also want to remind individuals that this benefit does NOT reduce the amount your school district gets paid. The exemption (savings) to you is paid for by New York State to the school district.

This was the perfect time to ask about this benefit as now is a great time to reach out to your local tax assessor to get this done.

I am so glad you asked me about this benefit, as it was useful for me to understand the standards and the process. So go find out about this benefit and how it can help with the cost of the taxes on your home where you live!

Janell Sluga is a Geriatric Care Manager helping seniors in our community access services and insurance. To reach her, please email editorial@post-journal.com.