Nearly 3 million New Yorkers will see School Tax Relief (STAR) benefits this summer and fall, with payments totaling $2.2 billion statewide. The program helps eligible homeowners reduce their school property tax burden — and depending on your location, you may already have received yours.
When to expect your STAR payment
The timing depends on how you receive the benefit:
- STAR exemption (discount directly on your tax bill): Reflected on your bill, which some homeowners already have.
- STAR credit check or direct deposit: Most will receive theirs in the summer or fall.
- Example timelines: Homeowners in New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse — where school taxes are due in July — should have received payments between late June and mid-July.
To track your payment or sign up for direct deposit, visit ny.gov/STAR.
How much you’ll get
Payments vary by county and local school tax rates:
- Most homeowners: $350–$600
- Retirees with Enhanced STAR: $700–$1,500
Regional breakdown for 2025 benefits:
- Long Island: $698.4 million
- Mid-Hudson: $488.5 million
- Finger Lakes: $205.2 million
- Western New York: $178.5 million
- New York City: $158.6 million
- Capital Region: $144.5 million
- Central New York: $131.1 million
- Southern Tier: $109.6 million
- Mohawk Valley: $66.3 million
- North Country: $47.2 million
Who qualifies for STAR benefits
To be eligible, you must:
Basic STAR
- Own a primary residence in New York
- Household income ≤ $500,000 for STAR credit, or ≤ $250,000 for STAR exemption
Enhanced STAR
- Age 65 or older
- Own a primary residence in New York
- Household income ≤ $107,300 for 2025 benefits
Additional rules:
- New homeowners must receive a check, not an exemption.
- Only homeowners who’ve owned their home since 2015 can still get the exemption.
- Switching from exemption to check may boost savings by up to 2% annually, while exemption amounts stay fixed.
Key takeaway
The STAR program remains a major tax relief for millions of New Yorkers — but payment amounts, methods, and timing vary widely. If you haven’t received yours yet, check the state’s STAR portal to confirm eligibility and track your benefit.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].