The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has begun issuing payments under the NY Star Stimulus program, a tax relief initiative targeting homeowners impacted by annual school property tax bills. Nearly three million residents are expected to receive financial assistance through this effort, which distributes a total of 2.2 billion dollars in 2025. Payment schedules vary by location, depending on regional tax deadlines.
Marca reports that many recipients have already begun receiving their checks, although not much has been disclosed beyond standard eligibility criteria. The disbursements are expected to continue through the early fall months.
Overview of the NY Star Stimulus Program
The School Tax Relief (STAR) program, commonly referred to as the NY STAR stimulus, is a long-standing property tax relief effort funded by the state. It aims to reduce school property taxes for eligible homeowners through either Basic STAR, Enhanced STAR, or the STAR extension.
Basic STAR is available to homeowners with a household income of $500,000 or less. The Enhanced STAR is designed for seniors aged 65 or older—or a spouse meeting that criterion—with a combined household income of $107,300 or less. The STAR extension targets those with income below $250,000, providing a supplemental version of the benefit.
As stated by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance,
The STAR program can save homeowners hundreds of dollars each year – particularly in districts where school property taxes are a major expense.
Timing and Delivery of NY Star Stimulus Payments
Initial payments under the NY STAR stimulus began in June 2025. Homeowners in districts with July tax deadlines were among the first to receive benefits, with remaining disbursements scheduled through August, September, and October. This schedule aligns with regional school tax billing timelines, ensuring payments arrive prior to homeowners’ tax due dates.
The program’s distribution coincides with seasonal financial stress, offering timely assistance just as families face back-to-school costs.
Eligibility and Criteria for Homeowners
To qualify for Basic STAR, a homeowner must own and live in the property as their primary residence and have a total household income of $500,000 or less. The STAR extension narrows that threshold to $250,000 or less, allowing additional filtering for financial need.
For Enhanced STAR, at least one property owner must be 65 or older by the end of the year. The property must be their primary residence, and the household income cannot exceed $107,300 for fiscal year 2025.
Income is verified annually using state or federal tax returns, and for individuals who do not file returns, alternative income data is required.
Registration Process and Required Documentation
Homeowners not yet enrolled must register through the Homeowner Benefit Portal provided on the official tax website. The application requires 2023 tax returns for all owners. For those who didn’t file a return, income details must be declared manually, including wages, pensions, unemployment benefits, interest income, dividends, and any distributions from retirement accounts or Social Security.
Additional information includes names and Social Security numbers for all owners and spouses, the school district name, purchase date of the property, and optional banking information for direct deposit. Homeowners also need to indicate whether the property is owned in a trust and, if so, provide the trust’s legal name.
Importantly, individuals without internet access may register by phone by calling 518-457-2036. The department advises having all relevant information ready before calling to ensure the process runs smoothly.
Changes in Ownership and Continued Eligibility
The NY STAR stimulus registration renews automatically each year unless there’s a change in ownership or primary residency. Homeowners are responsible for reporting life events such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, transfer of interest, survivorship, or if the property is placed into or removed from a trust. These updates must be submitted through the online portal to avoid benefit interruption.
The Department of Taxation and Finance uses this data not only to issue current payments but also to assess eligibility for any future property tax relief programs.
Scope and Statewide Impact
The STAR program is one of the largest property tax relief efforts in New York. The state plans to distribute $2.2 billion in benefits over the course of 2025, directly aiding approximately three million residents. While the total number of beneficiaries has remained consistent in recent years, changes in local tax bills, income levels, and demographic shifts contribute to annual adjustments in program impact.
As one of the most expansive components of the NY STAR stimulus, the credit helps stabilize housing affordability across suburban and upstate regions where school property taxes represent a significant portion of homeownership costs.
Homeowners can use the Property Tax Credit Lookup to track the status of their benefit and review their registration details. Payment issuance dates by county or district are listed on the STAR Credit Delivery Schedule, which is updated periodically.
