March 1 deadline to upgrade to Enhanced STAR property tax exemption

For seniors turning 65 this year, the deadline to apply in most localities is March 1

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance on Wednesday reminded seniors that, for most localities, the deadline to apply for greater property tax savings through the Enhanced STAR property tax exemption is March 1.

To be eligible for the 2022 Enhanced STAR property tax exemption, seniors must:

√ Currently receive the Basic STAR property tax exemption;

√ Have one owner of the property who will be at least 65 years of age by Dec. 31, 2022; and

√ Have had 2020 income equal to or below $92,000.

“We want every eligible senior to receive the increased property tax benefit,” Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller said. “To help ensure that seniors don’t miss out on this valuable benefit, we recently sent letters to 27,000 seniors who may be eligible for additional savings.”

Eligible seniors should apply to their assessor’s office by the application due date, which is March 1 in most towns and some cities, but there are exceptions. Seniors should verify their exact due date with their local assessor.

To apply, seniors must provide the following to the assessor:

√ Form RP-425-E, Application for Enhanced STAR Exemption;

√ Form RP-425-IVP, Supplement to Form RP-425-E; and

√ Proof of income: 2020 New York state or federal income tax forms (if the senior wasn’t required to file an income tax return, the assessor can guide them on how to provide proof of income).

In 2021, 577,000 seniors received a total of more than $800 million in savings from the Enhanced STAR property tax exemption.

Seniors who receive the STAR credit instead of the STAR exemption don’t need to apply or take any other action. The Tax Department will automatically upgrade them to Enhanced STAR if they qualify.

For more information:

√ STAR Resource Center

√ Seniors with questions about the STAR exemption can contact the Tax Department’s STAR Hotline from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at 518-457-2036.