New York STAR Program Delivers $300–$1,500 Property Tax Relief in September 2025
As autumn draws near, many New Yorkers are finding an unexpected and much-needed financial boost heading their way. The School Tax Relief (STAR) program is rolling out its second phase of benefit deliveries—offering property tax relief of $350 to $600 for most homeowners and up to $1,500 for eligible seniors—continuing through September and beyond. Here’s a detailed look at what the program offers, who qualifies, how it works, and what it means for residents.
What is the STAR Program?
STAR, short for the School Tax Relief program, is a state initiative providing property tax relief to owner-occupied primary residences in New York. It comes in two versions:
- Basic STAR – Available to homeowners whose combined income does not exceed $500,000. This typically results in a credit or check between $350 and $600.
- Enhanced STAR (E-STAR) – Designed for seniors aged 65 or older whose household income is under approximately $107,300 (AGI minus IRA distributions). These homeowners can receive a higher credit—between $700 and $1,500.
Originating in 1997, the STAR program was crafted to ease the burden of school property taxes by offering exemptions or credits as part of a broader state support mechanism.
How Much Are Homeowners Receiving in 2025?
- Basic STAR: Most eligible homeowners will receive $350–$600 via check or direct deposit.
- Enhanced STAR: Qualified seniors are seeing payments ranging from $700–$1,500, with some lucky recipients in high-tax areas receiving even more.
- In certain counties—like Albany and Suffolk—tax reductions have reached $1,733 and upwards of $5,015, depending on local school tax levels.
These payments represent just the second phase of STAR distributions in 2025—another wave of tax relief supporting New Yorkers through these challenging economic times.
Who Benefits—and When Are Checks Arriving?
Who qualifies?
- Homeowners of primary residences.
- Income thresholds:
- Basic STAR: Combined household income of owners and spouses must be $500,000 or less.
- Enhanced STAR: Seniors (65+), with household income below around $107,300.
- Enrollment: New homeowners, or those switching from exemption to credit, must register via the state’s Homeowner Benefit Portal or by calling the Tax Department.
Delivery schedule:
- Phase 1 (June–July): Delivered to homeowners in areas with early school tax due dates, like NYC, Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse.
- Phase 2 (August–October): Rolling out to remaining areas, aligned with local due dates. Many will receive their checks in September 2025.
Overall, nearly 3 million New Yorkers are slated to benefit from approximately $2.2 billion in tax relief this year.
Behind the Numbers: Why This Matters
With homeownership costs soaring and daily budgets tightening, this STAR payment offers tangible relief. For many families—especially seniors living on fixed incomes—the money can ease strain, cover urgent expenses, or help make ends meet.
Beyond individual households, this injection of cash has ripple effects:
- Communities benefit as funds flow into local spending.
- The state supports public education indirectly—covering local school tax revenue with this system.
In the face of inflation and broader economic uncertainty, Governor Hochul’s administration emphasizes that the STAR program is a critical counterbalance—redirecting government resources to where they’re most needed.
How to Make Sure You Get It
If you haven’t looked into STAR yet, here’s your game plan:
- Check eligibility: Do you own your home as a primary residence? Does your household income fall under the thresholds?
- Register or confirm enrollment (if needed):
- Use the Homeowner Benefit Portal (via NY State tax site).
- Or call 518-457-2036 during business hours.
- Opt in for direct deposit: Faster and more secure—details found in the portal.
- Monitor delivery: Use the STAR Credit Delivery Schedule and Property Tax Credit Lookup tools to check the status.
You typically only need to register once, unless your ownership or residency status changes.
Real Stories, Real Impact
Take Long Island, for example—the biggest benefactor region, receiving a staggering $698 million in STAR relief for over 582,000 families.
Upstate areas like the Capital District, Finger Lakes, and Western New York also saw significant distributions—often exceeding $100 million per region.
One recipient in Albany told local media they expected over $1,700 in tax savings—enough to cover car insurance or utility bills. In Suffolk County, relief figures are sometimes upwards of $5,000, depending on local tax assessments.
Looking Ahead
As STAR benefits continue through fall, the program underscores a broader policy philosophy: redistributing state resources to help individuals manage cost-of-living pressures. It’s a tangible expression of public support at a time when many are navigating uncertain economic waters.
While this article focused on the current delivery phase rolling out through September 2025, it also offers a reminder: STAR is an ongoing program. Saved and enrolled homeowners usually don’t need to apply annually—but changes in income, ownership, or residency may prompt updates.
This isn’t just about checks in the mail—it’s a lifeline for working families, seniors, and communities across New York State.
Summary Timeline & Facts
| Category | Basic STAR | Enhanced STAR (E-STAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Income ≤ $500,000 | Age ≥ 65 & income ≤ ~$107,300 |
| Payment Amount | $350–$600 | $700–$1,500+ |
| Delivery Period | Summer through Oct. | Summer through Oct. |
| How to Receive | Credit or check | Credit or check |
Nearly 3 million homeowners statewide stand to receive around $2.2 billion in relief—a vital support stream during fall 2025.
In conclusion, if you’re a New York homeowner—especially a senior or someone just recently purchasing your home—now is the time to check your STAR status, register if needed, and prepare to welcome that welcome boost to your finances.
