New York State Changes Enhanced STAR Qualifications
Per the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, a new law requires property owners age 65 and older who are eligible for Enhanced STAR to complete a form with their local tax assessor to verify their income.
If an Enhanced STAR recipient has already completed income verification in recent years, they do not have to do it again. However, if they have not yet completed the income verification form, they will need to do so this year.
This change does not affect those who receive a check for the Enhanced START exemption, because the Department of Taxation and Finance already verifies their income eligibility. This new law only applies to seniors 65 or older applying for the Enhanced STAR exemption of those who have the exemption included in their property tax bills.
In the past, older adults who qualified for the program were automatically granted the Enhanced STAR exemption, but this year eligible homeowners must apply. The deadline in most communities is March 1, 2019. For more information, please visit www.tax.ny.gov or contact your local town assessor.
|