Senator Fuschillo Informs Residents About New Basic Star Registration Requirements

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) is informing residents about the new registration requirements for the Basic School Tax Relief (STAR) property tax exemption. 

Basic STAR:

 All homeowners currently receiving the Basic STAR exemption must register with the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance in order to continue receiving the exemption in 2014 and subsequent years.  This is part of a new initiative to ensure that tax dollars are not wasted on inappropriate or fraudulent STAR exemptions.

 The Department of Taxation and Finance will be mailing all current Basic STAR recipients instructions on how to register, including a STAR code that homeowners will need in order to register. According to the Department of Taxation & Finance, letters will be mailed to homeowners in Nassau & Suffolk Counties from September 19^th through October 4^th.  The deadline to register is December 31, 2013.

 Enhanced STAR:

 Senior citizens who receive the Enhanced STAR exemption are not affected by these new requirements, and as a result will not receive new instructions from the Department of Taxation and Finance.  However, Enhanced STAR recipients must continue to reapply annually or participate in the income verification program, as they are currently required to do.

 Residents who have any questions about the new registration requirements can call the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance at (518) 457-2036 or Senator Fuschillo’s office at 516-882-0630.