EXEMPTED PROPERTY BY COUNTY

Steuben County

Ontario County

Livingston County

STATE & DISTRICT PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS

STATE EXEMPTIONS

STAR PROGRAM

Under state law, the School Tax Relief (STAR) program offers exemptions that can now grow only by 2 percent per year.

The Basic STAR exemption is available on a homeowner’s primary residence for anyone who owns and lives in his or her own home and earns less than $500,000 a year.

The Enhanced STAR exemption is available on the primary residence of taxpayers age 65 or older with yearly incomes below $81,900. (This is the 2014 figure.)

In the 2014, the STAR program rules did not change, however, the state comptroller’s office has discovered that many exemptions were improperly granted in the past. To stop this abuse of the system, the state legislature has started to require periodic renewal of Basic STAR exemptions. In order to continue receiving STAR exemptions, taxpayers were required to re-register with the NYS Tax Department by March 1.

ABOUT THE STAR PROGRAM

Annual deadline to apply is March 1.

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. But the savings is not automatic. You have to apply with your town assessor’s office by March 1 to be eligible for the tax break – and seniors who apply for the enhanced exemption must reapply each year. For more information about the STAR program, contact the assessor’s office in your town.

Learn more the state’s STAR program and access the necessary forms online.

The STAR (School Tax Relief) program 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.

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. Anyone who has questions about STAR should call their town assessor or visit the state’s Department of Taxation & Finance website.