Clinton County Real Property Office

There has been a lot of attention lately regarding the latest changes to the STAR program. Since 2016 the State of NY has implemented the goal of switching the STAR benefit from an exemption (discount on your school tax bill) to a STAR Credit check issued by NYS Dept. of Taxation & Finance.

Here are the top 9 things you need to know about the 2019 STAR changes:

1. The very 1st, and most important piece of information that you need to know, is that for MOST people, switching to the STAR Credit check is OPTIONAL. IT IS NOT MANDATORY. IT IS YOUR DECISION.   If you decide to do nothing, you will not lose your STAR exemption.
2. If your 2017 income was over $250,000, but less than $500,000, then NYS will automatically switch you from the STAR exemption program into the STAR Credit check program. You do not need to contact the assessor’s office. NYS will notify you in writing if this occurs.
3. If you decide that you want to switch to the rebate check, this decision is IRREVOCABLE and you CANNOT ever switch back to the exemption.
4. If you decide to switch, your school tax bill will no longer have a STAR exemption. Your school tax bill will be for the full amount. The STAR Credit check is intended to arrive in your mailbox some time during the month your school tax bill is mailed, however this is not guaranteed.
5. For those property owners who choose to switch, we recommend you contact your mortgage escrow servicer as the school tax bill will be higher than they anticipated. This could have an unanticipated impact on your monthly mortgage payment.
6. STAR exemptions, beginning in 2019, can never exceed the previous year’s dollar savings.
7. STAR Credit checks, beginning in 2019, can exceed the previous year’s Credit check by a maximum of 2% (capped).
8. You do NOT need to contact the assessor’s office in order to make the switch. This is now handled by NYS Department of Taxation & Finance.
9. The deadline to switch is June 17^th of every year (always 2 weeks prior to July 1st). If you make the switch after that date, it will not be effective until the following year unless you complete a STAR Renunciation form RP-496 prior to the billing of the School Taxes.

You can make the switch online or by telephone:

NYS Dept of Taxation & Finance Website: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/star/default.htm

NYS Dept of Taxation & Finance Phone: (518) 457-2036