Assemblyman Edward Hennessey (D - Medford) announced that registration for STAR exemptions will take place August 19 through December 31, 2013. New legislation requires all homeowners receiving a Basic STAR exemption to register with the New York State Tax Department in order to receive the exemption in 2014 and subsequent years.
“Homeowners are being asked to register with these new guidelines in order to combat fraudulent STAR exemptions. The fraud and abuse of the STAR program has grown extremely costly. This new requirement will help improve the STAR program and safeguard taxpayer money,” said Assemblyman Hennessey.
According to a State Comptroller report, abusers of the STAR program could cost taxpayers upwards of $73 million by 2015-16. To read the full report, visit http://bit.ly/14lhdU4.
Resident homeowners who currently receive the Basic STAR exemption must register with the New York State Tax Department in order to receive the exemption in 2014 and subsequent years. The fastest and easiest way for homeowners to register is through the Tax Department’s website, www.tax.ny.gov. Homeowners will need their STAR code to register. The STAR code can be found in the instructions mailed to homeowners, online, or by calling the Tax Department at 518-457-2036. Registration is also available via telephone at the same number.
Homeowners will not need to re-register every year. Based on the information provided in this registration process, the Tax Department will confirm homeowners’ eligibility in future years.
Senior citizens receiving the Enhanced STAR exemption are not affected by the new registration requirement because they must continue to apply annually or participate in the Income Verification Program. And resident homeowners applying for STAR for the first time are not affected by this year’s registration procedure.