Nearly 2.8 million New York homeowners will receive more than $2.1 billion in school property tax relief through the state’s STAR program this year, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday.
The annual School Tax Relief program provides checks or direct deposits to eligible homeowners to help offset local school property taxes. State officials said payments will be distributed throughout the summer and fall based on local school tax deadlines.
According to the governor’s office, 2.78 million homeowners statewide will receive STAR benefits this year. The Finger Lakes region is expected to receive nearly $194 million in relief, benefiting about 274,000 homeowners.
Hochul said the payments are part of a broader effort to address affordability concerns across the state.
“I need to make sure that we’re doing everything we can at the state level to put money back in your pockets and help you out with these costs,” Hochul said during a news conference announcing the payments.
The STAR program is available only for primary residences, including single-family homes, condominiums, cooperatives and manufactured homes. Homeowners must register for the program, but eligibility is automatically reviewed each year once enrolled.
Most homeowners earning less than $500,000 annually qualify for Basic STAR benefits, which typically range from $350 to $600. Homeowners age 65 and older with incomes below $110,750 may qualify for Enhanced STAR benefits ranging from $700 to $1,500.
State officials said homeowners in cities where school taxes are due in late June or July, including Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse and New York City, will receive payments first. Benefits for the rest of the state will be distributed later in the year.
The Finger Lakes region ranks fourth statewide in total STAR relief, behind Long Island, the Mid-Hudson region and Western New York. Long Island homeowners are expected to receive the largest share of benefits at more than $659 million.
Republican State Sen. Jake Ashby criticized the program’s approach, arguing that rebate checks do not address the underlying causes of New York’s high property taxes. Supporters, however, say the payments provide meaningful assistance for homeowners facing rising costs.
Eligible homeowners can track payments and enroll in direct deposit through the state’s Homeowner Benefit Portal. The state Department of Taxation and Finance will also hold a STAR assistance seminar in Henrietta on July 8 to help residents register and answer questions about the program.
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