Why Should I care about the STAR Program?
The STAR program has been instituted by the state of New York to help homeowners pay lower local school district taxes. It significantly reduces the school tax burden on owner-occupants in New York. You don’t just get it, though. You have to ask for it. But you only have to ask for it once during your ownership of the property that is subject of the STAR treatment.
The STAR application is a simple half-page form which must be delivered (along with proof of ownership - generally, a copy of your deed) to the office of the assessor of the town in which the property is located. It must be delivered by the “ tax status date” of the municipality (which is generally March 1) to affect the school tax bill issued that and subsequent years. Be careful, though. The City of Rochester (as well as some other municipalities) has a “tax status date” of February 1.
So, if you are already an eligible homeowner, make sure you have applied for STAR treatment. If you don’t know, your most recent school tax bill will indicate if the property is receiving the STAR benefit. Or you can call your town assessor and ask.
If you are investigating the tax liability of a property (as you are deciding whether or not you want to buy it) , make sure you take cognizance of the effect of the STAR program on that property’s taxes.
Timothy K. McCusker is an attorney who has been practicing real estate law with the law firm of Gallo and Iacovangelo since March, 1981. Gallo and Iacovangelo,LLP is a general practice law firm located in the heart of Rochester which has been serving clients throughout New York for decades.
You can reach Tim at (585) 454-7145 or email him at timm@gallolaw.com You are invited to ask him any specific questions or to suggest any topics you would like him to discuss on this web page.