CLINTON COUNTY REAL PROPERTY OFFICE

Director of Real Property Services
Martine Gonyo
518-565-4763
gonyom@co.clinton.ny.us

Senior Assessment Control Examiner
Miranda Major
518-565-4762
majorm@co.clinton.ny.us

Assessor
Timothy Surpitski
518-565-4760
surpitskit@co.clinton.ny.us

Assessment Control Examiner
Trevor Finley
518-565-4765
finleyt@co.clinton.ny.us
Tami Trembley
518-565-4479
trembleyt@co.clinton.ny.us
Tracy DeCoste
518-565-4761
decostet@co.clinton.ny.us

Basic STAR and Enhanced STAR

Basic STAR:

Owner-occupied property that is a one, two, or three-family residence, a mobile home or trailer, a farm home, or a residential condominium or cooperative apartment, and which serves as the primary residence of the owner or that portion of any other type of property which is partially used by the owner as a primary residence, is partially exempt from school district taxes, but liable for general municipal and county taxes, as well as for special ad valorem levies and special assessments.  All primary-residence homeowners are eligible for the "Basic" STAR exemption, regardless of age or income. The amount of the basic exemption is $30,000, subject to equalization and other adjustments.

If the exemption is granted, the owner need not reapply in subsequent years to keep this exemption, unless the exemption is discontinued or revoked by the assessor.

Enhanced STAR:

Primary-residence owners that meet additional requirements are eligible to receive the "Enhanced" STAR exemption. To be eligible, all property owners must be 65 years of age or older, with incomes that do not exceed $79,050 a year as amended annually according to a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) used by the Social Security Administration.  For purposes of the Enhanced STAR exemption, "income" means the "adjusted gross income" for federal income tax purposes as reported on the applicant's federal or state income tax return for the applicable income tax year, minus any taxable distributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Low-income seniors who will be receiving the senior citizen exemption will automatically qualify for the STAR exemption, without filing a separate STAR application. Although senior citizens whose annual incomes exceed the eligible income limit for a given year will not be eligible for the Enhanced STAR exemption, they may be eligible for the Basic STAR exemption.

Eligible owners applying for the Enhanced STAR exemption may authorize the assessor to have their incomes verified in subsequent years by the State Department of Taxation and Finance, through the STAR income verification program. If the owners participate in the program, they must furnish their taxpayer identification number to the assessor at that time. If such owners have their income eligibility verified and meet all other eligibility requirements, they will not be required to submit annual renewals and income tax records to the assessor in subsequent years. However, if the owner or owners stop participating in the income verification program, the owners must resume submitting applications and tax returns to the assessor's office on or before taxable status date to remain eligible for this exemption. Such owners have the option to re-enter that program in a later year.
Owners receiving this exemption who do not qualify for the senior citizens exemption must reapply each year in order to keep the exemption in effect, except for those who elect to participate in the STAR income verification program.

The STAR exemption must be applied after all other applicable exemptions have been applied to the property's assessed value. However, the exemption may not reduce the property's taxable assessed value below zero, nor may any owner receive both the basic and Enhanced STAR exemptions in the same year. Anyone who misrepresents his or her primary residence, age or income on a STAR application may be subject to a $100 penalty, may be prohibited from receiving the STAR exemption for five years, may have to return up to three years of taxes saved by the improperly granted exemption, and may be subject to criminal prosecution.

**2006 STAR Local Property Tax Rebate Amounts**

**2007 Middle Class STAR Rebate**

**Bracket 1 – Income up to $90,000
**Bracket 2 – Income over $90,000 and up to $150,000
**Bracket 3 – Income over $150,000 and up to $250,000

Applications will be mailed September 3, 2007 to homeowners from the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.  Applications will also be available on the Departments website http://www.nystax.gov

**2008 Middle Class STAR Rebate Amounts**

Below is a link to the site to check for amounts and status of 2008 rebates.

http://www8.nystax.gov/SRLU/srluHome08

**2009 Middle Class STAR Rebate Discontinued**

STAR Exemptions to Continue
The 2009-10 Enacted State Budget eliminates the STAR Rebate Program only. While rebate checks will no longer be sent out, homeowners will continue to receive the benefits of the Basic and Enhanced STAR Exemptions on their school property tax bills.

** Important information when filing the STAR Applications. **

1. After filling out the application, drop it off at either the local assessor or the Real Property Office on or before March 1st.  (For all parcels in the City of Plattsburgh or the Town of Plattsburgh drop the application off with the assessor).
2. If filing the Enhanced STAR application, make sure to bring sufficient proof of income and proof of age.

Links to exemptions: