New York Homeowner Tax Relief Is Sending Out $2 Billion — Here’s How to Make Sure You Get Your Share

Governor Kathy Hochul declared in June 2026 that the state’s School Tax Relief program, or STAR, would provide $2.1 billion in property tax relief to approximately 2.78 million New York homeowners. It’s a real number, not a forecast or a pilot, and it’s the kind of news that really resonates differently than most government announcements for many households quietly absorbing the cost of living in one of the most expensive states in the nation.

Even after years of existence, not all eligible individuals are reached by the STAR program. The Basic STAR benefit is available to homeowners who use the property as their primary residence and have a combined household income of $500,000 or less. This usually translates into a check or bill reduction of between $350 and $600. A few hundred dollars back is not insignificant for a family whose school tax bill is rising annually, but it won’t cover a mortgage payment.

The numbers become more significant for seniors. Homeowners 65 years of age and older with qualifying incomes under $110,000 are eligible for Enhanced STAR, which provides relief of between $700 and $1,500. In her announcement, Hochul emphasized that many seniors are on fixed incomes, no longer receive regular paychecks, and must rely solely on savings to cover rising property taxes. It’s difficult to ignore the number of elderly homeowners in cities like Syracuse, Buffalo, or Queens who might not be aware that they qualify for the enhanced benefit, which was created with precisely that circumstance in mind.

For those who are already registered, the distribution happens automatically. Depending on how they registered, STAR recipients can receive their benefit as a direct check or as a reduction on their school tax bill. In advance of this year’s payments, officials have been urging citizens to enrolll in the state’s direct deposit program. The STAR credit is still available to first-time applicants, but the exemption is no longer available. New homeowners who have never applied must register through the state’s Department of Taxation and Finance.

New York has been issuing one-time inflation refund checks based on 2023 tax returns, independent of STAR. $200 is given to single filers making up to $75,000; for incomes up to $150,000, the amount drops to $150. Joint filers who make less than $150,000 receive $400, while those who make up to $300,000 receive $300. The payment is made automatically to eligible residents who filed a 2023 resident return; no application is needed. Although it’s a small sum, the mechanics are helpful because the state, not the homeowner, is handling the work.

There are other programs that you should be aware of. For eligible low-income residents, the Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption and the Disabled Homeowners’ Exemption both provide a 50% property tax reduction. Localized exemptions may also be available to veterans and clergy through the New York City Department of Finance or municipal offices. Because navigating the options requires patience, it’s possible—possibly even likely—that some eligible homeowners are sitting on benefits they haven’t claimed.

Property taxes in New York are among the highest in the nation. It’s no secret, and it won’t change anytime soon. However, the state’s relief efforts are more extensive than they typically receive recognition for. As is often the case with government benefits, the question is whether those who are most in need of them are aware of them and take the necessary actions to get what they are entitled to.