If you’re a property owner in New York, you could be eligible for a stimulus check through the state’s STAR program, which offers financial relief to help reduce the burden of school taxes. The amounts provided can vary significantly, with some homeowners receiving payments of up to $1,500.
The specific payment you may qualify for depends on factors such as your income, age, and the school district in which you reside. Understanding these criteria is essential for ensuring you get the most out of the program. For more detailed information, you can refer to sources like Futbolete. Here’s a breakdown of the STAR program for 2025.
Types of STAR Benefits: Basic vs. Enhanced
New York offers two types of STAR benefits to property owners: Basic STAR and Enhanced STAR. Each provides financial assistance, but eligibility and payment amounts differ.
Basic STAR: Who Qualifies and How Much You Can Get
Basic STAR is available to homeowners who use their property as their primary residence and whose household income does not exceed $500,000 for the 2025 tax year. This benefit is available to homeowners of all ages, but the exact amount of relief you’ll receive depends on the school district and property value.
For 2025, Basic STAR recipients will receive a stimulus check ranging from $350 to $600. If you’re still receiving this benefit as a direct exemption, your school tax bill will be reduced by $269 to $275. This reduction helps ease the burden of local school taxes, which can be a significant financial strain for homeowners.
Enhanced STAR: For Seniors and Larger Payments
Enhanced STAR, on the other hand, is reserved for seniors aged 65 or older who meet specific income criteria. In 2025, the income limit for Enhanced STAR is set at $107,300. This program offers higher relief than the Basic STAR, designed to provide seniors with extra support as they typically live on a fixed income.
Enhanced STAR recipients can expect a stimulus check ranging from $700 to $1,500 in 2025. For those still receiving the exemption, their school tax bills will be reduced by $643 to $659. This larger amount provides crucial financial relief for senior homeowners, helping them manage the high cost of property taxes.
How to Apply for Your STAR Stimulus Check
Understanding how to enroll or re-enroll in the STAR program is key to receiving your stimulus check.
Basic STAR: Automatic Enrollment for Current Recipients
If you’ve already registered for Basic STAR, there’s no need to reapply unless your property ownership or residency status changes. However, new applicants must complete a registration process with the New York Department of Taxation and Finance, submitting documentation to verify that the property is their primary residence.
Enhanced STAR: Reconfirming Eligibility Each Year
If you qualify for Enhanced STAR, you must reconfirm your eligibility annually, as both income and age limits can change. Thankfully, New York offers the Income Verification Program for Enhanced STAR participants. This program allows the state to automatically verify your income data through existing tax records, streamlining the renewal process and eliminating the need to resubmit income documents every year.
Key Payment Details and When You’ll Receive Your Stimulus Check
The amount of the stimulus check you’ll receive depends on which STAR program you qualify for and your school district. For the Basic STAR program, payments will range from $350 to $600 in 2025. If you’re still receiving the benefit as a direct exemption, you can expect a reduction in your tax bill between $269 to $275.
For Enhanced STAR, the amounts are higher, with payments ranging from $700 to $1,500. If you’re still receiving the exemption, you’ll see a reduction of $643 to $659 on your school tax bill.
It’s important to note that since 2016, the STAR program switched from direct exemptions to tax credits, meaning that instead of a direct reduction on your school tax bill, the state now sends a stimulus check or direct deposit.
Protect Yourself from Scammers Targeting STAR Beneficiaries
With the promise of these stimulus checks, scammers are taking advantage of the situation by targeting property owners. They may contact you by phone, email, or text, pretending to be from the New York State Tax Department, asking for personal information or payment.
If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from the Tax Department regarding the inflation refund check or any other stimulus check, be cautious. According to the New York State Tax Department:
The Tax Department is not contacting taxpayers about the New York State inflation refund check. You do not need to provide us with additional information to receive a check. If you are contacted about the inflation refund check by someone supposedly from the Tax Department, report it.
Make sure you only provide personal information through secure, official channels and report any suspicious activity.
