Homeowners reminded of upcoming STAR deadline

The deadline to apply for STAR, the School Tax Relief program, is March 1.

The STAR program, introduced in 1997, has two categories. The first is a "Basic" exemption, available to virtually every New York homeowner. The second, an "Enhanced" exemption for the 2004-05 school year, is available to senior citizens, aged 65 or older with yearly incomes of $63,750 or less, based on their 2002 income tax returns.

"I hope that all eligible homeowners who have never applied for STAR, or who have recently moved to a new home during the last year, will contact their assessor's office to request an application," NYS Assemblymember Bill Reilich (Greece, Ogden, Sweden) said. "I also encourage seniors to reapply for the Enhanced STAR exemption by the March 1 deadline."

STAR applications are available at local tax assessor's offices. Homeowners should check with their assessor's office to verify the deadline date.