New York homeowners to get STAR tax relief this summer

New York homeowners are set to receive School Tax Relief Program payments and credits as school tax bills come due, with more than $2 billion expected to reach over 3 million homeowners in 2026. The program offers direct payments, exemptions and added savings for seniors, and filing deadlines still remain for 2027 relief.

Why it matters: - New York homeowners in high-tax counties like Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk are facing rising property bills and are likely to see STAR as one of the few direct relief tools available. - The program can reduce school tax costs now and still leave room for additional savings through other exemptions and assessment appeals. - STAR relief in 2026 is expected to total more than $2 billion for over 3 million homeowners, excluding exemptions.

What happened: - The New York School Tax Relief Program, or STAR, is sending payments and deposits between July and September as school tax due dates approach across the state. - STAR now works mostly through direct credits, though some homeowners still qualify for exemptions. - Homes purchased after 2016 qualify only for STAR credits. - Homeowners who chose the credit cannot switch back to the exemption.

The details: - Standard STAR credits are typically worth about $250 to $500. - Standard STAR exemptions remove about $30,000 from a home’s taxable value. - STAR credit eligibility generally ends at household income above $500,000. - STAR exemption eligibility generally ends at household income above $250,000. - Enhanced STAR is available statewide to homeowners age 65 and older with income under $110,750. - Enhanced STAR credits average about $800 to $1,500. - Enhanced STAR exemptions reduce taxable value by $86,000. - The Enhanced STAR income cap is scheduled to rise each year. - STAR payments and taxes are tied to the 2025 tax year, so new registrations do not affect 2025 relief and will instead apply in 2027. - Homeowners can still register for STAR or upgrade to Enhanced STAR by Dec. 31, 2026 to receive a 2027 credit. - After that, homeowners generally have until March 1, 2027 to register. - Eligible homeowners who never registered can seek a retroactive credit for up to three years from the tax due date, as long as they met the filing conditions. - A home bought in 2025 would not qualify for a 2023 credit.

Between the lines: - STAR is more flexible than a standalone exemption because it can stack with some local exemptions and with property tax grievances. - Assessment grievances can lower taxable value if a home is overassessed or unfairly assessed. - Those appeals do not reduce resale value and do not interfere with STAR credits or other exemptions. - The combination of exemptions, grievances and STAR is especially useful in expensive markets where tax bills are highest. - The program is also useful for businesses, rental properties and second homes that do not benefit from traditional homestead-style relief.

What's next: - School tax bills will determine when STAR checks and deposits arrive in local mailboxes and bank accounts over the coming months. - More homeowners may still enroll for 2027 savings if they meet the registration deadlines. - Counties will continue to shape the total benefit through their own senior and property tax relief programs.

The bottom line: - STAR is still one of New York’s most accessible property tax relief options, and homeowners who miss this year’s payout window can still position themselves for 2027 savings.