Deadline For New York State's School Tax Relief Program (STAR) Is March 1, 2013

The deadline for New York State’s School Tax Relief Program (STAR) is March 1, 2013.  STAR is a tax relief program that lowers property taxes for owner-occupied primary residences.  There are two levels of STAR benefits: Basic STAR and Enhanced STAR.

Basic STAR is available to residents who own their primary residence, which is a one, two or three-family house, condominium, cooperative apartment or mobile home and earn less than $500,000 a year.  There is no age limit for Basic STAR.  Once you are approved for Basic STAR, you need not reapply each year unless you move to a new primary residence.

You may already have the Basic STAR exemption, but if you turn 65 any time in the year 2013, you may be eligible for the Enhanced STAR exemption.  In addition to being 65 or older, you must own property that you use as your primary residence, and the total annual adjusted gross income minus the taxable amount of IRA distributions of all the owners of the property must be $79,050 or less, based on 2011 Income Tax Returns.   If you meet these qualifications, you must complete a separate application for Enhanced STAR and include a copy of your 2011 income tax return.

If you file an annual state income tax return, you may also be eligible to enroll in the STAR Income Verification Program, in which you can authorize the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to verify your income eligibility each year.  Please ask your assessor about this program.  If you qualify for the enhanced benefit but choose not to enroll in the STAR Income Verification Program, you must reapply each year for the Enhanced STAR Program.

To request an application in the Town of Babylon, contact:

The Department of Assessment

200 East Sunrise Highway

Lindenhurst, NY  11757

(631) 957-3014

To print a STAR or Enhanced STAR application, please visit the Town of Babylon website by clicking here.

To request an application in the Town of Islip, contact:

The Office of Ronald F. Devine, Jr., Assessor

40 Nassau Avenue

Islip, NY  11751

(631) 224-5058

To print a STAR or Enhanced STAR application, please visit the Town of Islip website by clicking here.

Online applications are also available at The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance website.

The STAR Program is locally administered by your town assessor’s office where you may acquire and file your application between January 1st and March 1st.   The amount of your STAR benefit is set every year by the State and is based on the type of property you own.  The benefit on your tax bill, therefore, may vary each year.