Giglio Reminds Homeowners To Re-Register For STAR

All Homeowners, Even Those Currently Receiving The Exemption, Will Need To Re-Register

Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio (R,C,I-Gowanda) reminded residents today that all homeowners, even those currently receiving the Basic STAR property tax exemption, will need to re-register to be enrolled in the program next year. Recent reports by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance have signaled alarmingly low re-registration numbers for the otherwise popular property tax exemption program.

“All homeowners, even those currently receiving the property tax exemption, must re-register to be enrolled in the STAR program before the end-of-the-year deadline,” said Giglio. “With extremely low re-registration occurring, I think it’s very important that we get the word out that residents must re-register to receive the exemption. New Yorkers pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation and many families factor the exemption into their household budgets. I encourage all homeowners to double check and make sure that they have taken the time to re-register.”

Citing widespread fraud and abuse of the system, the New York State Comptroller stated the need for residents to re-register for the exemption, which was then changed in the 2013-14 State Budget. The deadline to re-register for the Basic STAR exemption is December 31.

Information from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance cited re-registration numbers for the 148th Assembly District – Cattaraugus County at 63 percent; Allegany County at 62 percent; and Steuben County at 66 percent, as of November 5, 2013. Giglio noted that due to the widespread abuse of the system, reaching a 100 percent re-registration rate would be impossible, given that many of the names in the system were erroneous and, therefore, would not be re-registering.

An audit in March 2013 found widespread abuse of the Basic STAR program; estimates by the New York State Comptroller’s Office show as much as $13 million in fraud and abuse. The re-registration change applies to only Basic STAR because currently, in order to be eligible for the Enhanced STAR program, an individual must be 65 years or older and be below a certain income threshold. Therefore, seniors who are receiving this Enhanced STAR already are required to apply annually or participate in an income verification program.

Giglio said that homeowners should have received a letter including instructions on how to re-register. The new registration for Basic STAR will only be required once, and homeowners will not have to re-register in future years.

A link to the average STAR savings for each municipality in the state, based on historical data, can be found at: http://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/star/max_index.htm. Additional information can be found at http://tax.ny.gov/pit/property/star13.htm.