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New York School Tax Relief (STAR) Credit

New York STAR property-tax relief for eligible homeowners, including Basic and Enhanced STAR credit pathways and current income limits.

JJ Ben-Joseph
JJ Ben-Joseph
💰 Funding Benefit amount varies by municipality and school district; Enhanced STAR generally provides larger relief than Basic STAR where eligible
📅 Deadline Register as early as possible; first-year timing depends on local taxable status date and school tax due dates
📍 Location New York
🏛️ Source New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
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Status Update (February 2026)

NYS Tax Department currently states:

  • Basic STAR credit income limit: $500,000.
  • Enhanced STAR income limits include:
    • $107,300 for 2025-2026 school year
    • $110,750 for 2026-2027 school year

STAR also distinguishes credit vs. exemption pathways, with processing and delivery differences.

For the 2026-2027 school year, NYS also publishes Enhanced STAR exemption benefit calculations using the first $88,500 of full value.

Basic vs. Enhanced STAR

  • Basic STAR: broader homeowner eligibility, lower benefit level than Enhanced in most districts.
  • Enhanced STAR: for eligible seniors (age 65+) meeting yearly income thresholds; generally larger benefit.

Benefit size varies by municipality and school district tax structure, so statewide dollar estimates should be treated as directional, not guaranteed.

Registration Timing Rules

NYS recommends registering as soon as possible after moving into a home. First-year benefit timing depends on local taxable status date and school tax due-date calendar.

NYS FAQ guidance also notes STAR credit registration may be accepted for several years retroactively (subject to stated limits), but waiting can delay first payment and create transition issues between exemption and credit pathways.

How to Apply

  1. Confirm homeowner eligibility and primary-residence status.
  2. Determine whether you qualify for Basic or Enhanced STAR.
  3. Register through NYS Tax Department STAR channels.
  4. Provide any requested income verification quickly.
  5. Track status through STAR lookup tools and portal resources.

Common Mistakes

  • Assuming one statewide deadline applies in every locality.
  • Not updating ownership/income data when requested.
  • Confusing STAR exemption with STAR credit.
  • Expecting check/direct-deposit timing without checking delivery schedule tools.
  • Ignoring letters requesting income confirmation.

Practical Follow-Up Workflow

After registration, monitor for NYS correspondence (including income-verification letters) and respond within the stated response window. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation details to avoid repeated delays.

Transition Cases to Watch

If you previously had STAR exemption through local assessor records and are transitioning to STAR credit processing, confirm which agency currently controls your benefit record and what action is required next. Transition confusion is a common reason households miss expected delivery timing.

Annual Recheck Habit

Enhanced STAR income thresholds update by school year. Set an annual reminder to verify the latest published limit and any required income verification process so you do not rely on prior-year assumptions.

Benefit-Year Income Rule Reminder

NYS guidance for recent STAR benefit years also emphasizes that household income screening includes owners and spouses who primarily reside at the property, even when not listed on the deed. This detail is easy to miss and can cause late-stage eligibility issues.

Before filing or responding to verification letters, confirm your household composition assumptions against current NYS STAR guidance rather than prior-year local advice.

Delivery Planning Tip

If you are counting on STAR cash-flow timing, check NYS delivery schedule tools by county and school district rather than assuming prior-year dates. Benefit delivery can vary by locality and by whether you receive STAR as a credit versus exemption pathway.

Official Sources