Lupinacci Reminds Residents About Need to Re-Register For Star Exemption

Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station) today is reminding residents that the deadline to re-register for Basic STAR exemptions is December 31. An audit in March found widespread abuse of the Basic STAR program, and estimates by the comptroller found as much as $13 million in fraud and abuse.

“Long Islanders pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation,” said Lupinacci. “It is critical that qualified residents take full advantage of this program, which saved the average homeowner statewide $700 in 2012.  I strongly encourage anyone with questions to visit the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance’s website or contact their local assessor for additional details.”

In the coming weeks, homeowners will be receiving a letter instructing them to reapply for the Basic STAR program online or by phone. People will need to verify their salaries, Social Security numbers and primary residences. The new registration for Basic STAR will only be required once, and homeowners will not have to re-register in future years.

Since it was established, the STAR program has provided a partial exemption from school taxes for most homeowners with incomes less than $500,000 on their primary residences. The new registration process will not affect this year’s tax bills, nor will it affect Enhanced STAR. Seniors are required to register every year to receive the Enhanced STAR exemption.

Additional information can be found at http://tax.ny.gov/pit/property/star13.htm.