Watertown— State Senator Patty Ritchie is reminding homeowners in Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties that the deadline for New York State’s School Tax Relief Program—or STAR—is March 1, 2013.
STAR is a tax relief program that lowers property taxes for owner-occupied primary residences. There are two types of benefits, Basic STAR and Enhanced STAR.
There is no age limit to Basic STAR and the program is available to property owners earning less than $500,000 per year. Basic STAR exempts the first $30,000 of the full value of a home from school taxes and once approved, you need not reapply each year, unless you move to a new primary residence.
Property owners older than age 65 with a total annual income of $79,050 or less are eligible for Enhanced STAR. Enhanced STAR exempts the first $63,300 of the full value of their home from school taxes.
The STAR program is administered locally, and property owners can acquire and file applications at town assessor offices through March 1st.
Property owners can also visit www.tax.ny.gov, call the STAR hotline at 1-877-678-2769.
