Property taxes can be pretty expensive in certain places. But many people are willing to pay a little extra so that they can benefit from all the good that money does, like maintaining public parks and roads or funding schools. Now, some New York homeowners may see some relief after Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the state’s School Tax Relief (STAR) program, which would put more than $2 billion back into the pockets of New York homeowners.
Press Connects says that rebates will go out to almost 3 million homeowners living in the state starting as early as this summer.
But the real question on everyone’s mind is just exactly when will the money be sent? And how much can homeowners expect to receive?
Here’s what we know.
New York Homeowners to Get School Tax Rebate
The STAR program was announced in June, and New Yorkers are excitedly awaiting information about when those checks will start going out. The good news is that lohud reports that payments are already being sent out, and they will continue to go out through the fall of 2026, depending on where you live.
For example, homeowners living in Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, and New York City are likely to get their rebates first because their school tax bills are paid.
When it comes to exactly how much people can expect to receive, that answer varies as well. According to lohud, most of the people who are eligible for the rebates will receive between $350 and $600. Seniors can expect to get a little bit more and are expected to get between $700 and $1,500 back.
The total rebate is expected to add up to around $2.1 billion. New York residents can track their rebate status and eligibility by visiting ny.gov/STAR.
How Can You Save on Your School and Property Taxes?
Don’t live in New York but want to see if you’re eligible for any sort of discount on your taxes? You may have options. According to the AARP, there are a few different options you can pursue. If you think your taxes are higher than they should be, you can reach out to your local taxing authority to check the details they have on file about your home to verify they are correct. If they have incorrect information when it comes to your home’s amenities, square footage, and room counts, you may be able to ask them to update your info, potentially changing your obligation (just be warned that this has the potential to backfire, resulting in higher taxes as well).
Next, you’ll want to see if there are any exemptions you can file for. Some municipalities have discounts for seniors and veterans, while other places may allow you to apply for a homestead exemption if your property meets certain guidelines.
While it may be frustrating to have to pay your property and school tax bills, it’s important to remember that the money they collect goes towards making your city or town a better place. If you like where you live, spending a little extra to keep the status quo may be a worthwhile investment for you and your family.