Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins Urges Homeowners To Re-Apply For STAR Exemption

Yonkers, NY - State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D/I/WF – 35th District) announced today that starting August 19th through the end of December, registration to receive the Basic STAR exemption will be open. All resident homeowners who wish to receive the exemption for 2014 and subsequent years must register with the New York State Tax Department as required by new legislation passed this year to eliminate fraud and duplication.

“The STAR exemption is an important program that has given necessary tax relief to thousands of New Yorkers since its inception in 1998,” Senator Stewart-Cousins said. “Homeowners will need to reapply before December 31st because many improvements and changes have been made to the program to better protect against inappropriate or fraudulent abuses of the system.”

In the next couple of weeks, homeowners will receive a letter from the New York State Tax Department which will include their STAR code, a unique I.D. required to register. To make this process as convenient as possible, the Tax Department has given homeowners the option to apply online, by telephone, or by submitting a paper application. This new registration requirement does not affect senior citizens receiving the Enhanced STAR exemption.

“I understand how property taxes can overburden New Yorkers,” Senator Stewart-Cousins concluded. “I encourage all homeowners to take the time to register for STAR so that they receive the tax break they deserve.”

Additional information about the registration program can be accessed online at the New York Department of Tax and Finance website.