Annual deadline to apply is March 1

ALL New York State residents who own their own homes can significantly reduce their school property taxes through a School Tax Reduction (STAR) exemption, regardless of age or income. But the savings is not automatic.

You have to apply with your town assessor's office by March 1 to be eligible for the tax break – and seniors who apply for the enhanced exemption must reapply each year.

For more information about the STAR program, contact the assessor's office in your town:

Colonie Assessor's Office – 783-2701

Guilderland Assessor's Office – 356-1980

Niskayuna Assessor's Office - 386-4550

Learn more the STAR program and download the necessary forms online

Download Q&A from the NYS Office of Real Property Services (pdf)

STAR Program Overview

The STAR (School Tax Relief) program is a state program that the district has no control over. The New York State STAR program is intended to be solely a state tax relief program—NOT state aid for education.

Up until last year there were two parts to the STAR program – the Basic and Enhanced STAR exemptions and the middle class STAR rebate. During the 2009-10 fiscal year, the state Legislature voted to discontinued the rebate program – however, the exemption program is still in place.

It is important for all taxpayers in New York State to understand how the STAR program works, because by taking advantage of it property owners can save hundreds of dollars a year on their school taxes.

All South Colonie taxpayers are eligible to receive a tax exemption through the state’s Basic STAR exemption, which is available to all property owners, or the Enhanced STAR exemption, which is for seniors. The STAR exemption program was enacted by the state Legislature in 1997.

Through this program, a certain amount of the true value of a person’s home or property is exempt.

In 2007, the state Legislature created the “Middle Class STAR” program to provide a further benefit to homeowners with incomes below $250,000. For the first two years of the program, this benefit was provided in the form of a rebate check and was in addition to the Basic and Enhanced STAR program. In 2009-10, because of the state of the economy, the state Legislature decided it could no longer afford this rebate program and so it was eliminated.

Anyone who has questions about STAR should call their town assessor or go online to www.orps.state.ny.us.