Millions of homeowners in New York are set to receive stimulus-style payments through the state’s long-running School Tax Relief (STAR) program, which aims to alleviate the financial pressure of high property taxes. The upcoming round of STAR stimulus checks will provide crucial financial assistance to homeowners, particularly benefiting middle-class families and seniors.
Some eligible seniors could receive up to $1,500 in tax relief payments. According to The US Sun, the payments will be distributed in phases, with residents in different regions receiving their checks at varying times. These payments are a critical support for homeowners facing ongoing economic challenges.
What is the STAR Program?
The STAR program has been in place since 1997, offering tax relief payments to homeowners by providing rebates or credits for part of their school taxes. While the relief does not directly reduce property taxes, it helps homeowners by covering a portion of their tax burden. For most homeowners earning under $500,000, payments will range from $350 to $600.
Seniors with an income of $107,300 or less are eligible for the Enhanced STAR benefit, which provides more significant relief ranging from $700 to $1,500.
This year alone, nearly $2.2 billion will be distributed to around 3 million New Yorkers. Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the importance of the program, stating,
“Summer is here – and it’s also the start of STAR tax relief season for millions of New Yorkers.”
How Will the Payments Be Distributed?
The STAR tax relief payments will be distributed in phases depending on local school tax deadlines. Certain counties, such as New York City, Buffalo, and Rochester, where school tax bills are due in July, have already started receiving their STAR stimulus checks. Other areas will see payments arrive in August, September, and into the fall.
For example, the distribution by region is as follows:
- Long Island: $698 million for 582,000 recipients.
- Mid-Hudson: $488.5 million for 404,000 recipients.
- New York City: $158.6 million for 483,000 recipients.
- Other regions, including the Finger Lakes, Western New York, and Central New York, will also share hundreds of millions more in tax relief payments.
Payments will either be sent as paper checks or via direct deposit, depending on how homeowners are enrolled. Those who are already signed up for direct deposit will receive their STAR stimulus checks more quickly. However, those who enroll late this year may still receive paper checks initially.
Why Is This Relief Important?
In a time when inflation is high and living costs continue to rise, these tax relief payments offer essential financial relief to homeowners struggling with daily expenses. Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller emphasized,
“The STAR program delivers welcome tax relief, and we want every eligible homeowner to take advantage of it.”
This financial assistance is especially important for seniors who are often on fixed incomes and feel the effects of inflation more acutely. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins both commended the program, with Heastie adding that the checks would help families cover everyday costs and “keep more money in their pockets.”
