Reminder: Basic STAR Property Tax Exemption Requirements Have Changed, Here’s The Need-To-Know

The following is a press release from the offices of State Senator Marty Golden. You can learn more about STAR here.

State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I) today is reminding homeowners who receives a Basic STAR property tax exemption will need to register with the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance to keep getting the STAR exemption in 2014 and beyond. This is part of a new effort to eliminate fraud and protect property taxpayers.

Beginning later this month, the State Tax Department will mail detailed instructions to all current Basic STAR recipients on how to register. The letter will include a personalized code that homeowners will need to register on-line or over the phone. The registration process will simply require homeowners to provide some basic information to confirm their eligibility for the STAR program.

“It is imperative that all recipients of Basic Star register with the State of New York or risk losing this vital benefit,” said Senator Golden.  “A recent State Comptroller’s report showed that taxpayers are being cheated out of tens of millions of dollars every year by individuals who are fraudulently obtaining STAR exemptions for their property. This statewide accountability effort is being undertaken to weed out that abuse. Most homeowners are doing the right thing, but when someone takes advantage of the system everyone else has to pay more in school taxes. That’s not fair or legal.”

Here are a few key points to be aware of:

• This is a one-time process. Basic STAR recipients will not need to re-register every year.
• Senior citizens who receive the Enhanced STAR exemption are not affected by the new registration requirement and nothing will change for them.
• Questions about the registration process can be asked by calling the State Tax Department at (518) 457-2036 or visiting www.tax.ny.gov.