SELECT Americans will start seeing checks from a well-known program in their mailboxes soon.
The direct payments start going out this week, but it isn’t the same timeline for everyone.
Some Americans are getting checks worth hundreds starting this week (stock image)[/caption]
Funds come as part of New York School Tax Relief (STAR) and Enhanced School Tax Relief (E-STAR), which offer property tax relief that’s paid to the nearest school district to qualifying homeowners in the state, per a page on the NYC Department of Finance website.
STAR or E-STAR are always distributed either as a credit from the State of New York or a tax exemption from the City of New York.
That means the break doesn’t come right away, but instead is reimbursed through a check.
For those who qualify for the STAR program, it exempts the first $30,000 of the home’s full value from school property taxes for the 2025 to 2026 school year.
E-STAR is an extra perk only available to seniors 65 or older and exempts the first $86,1000 of a home’s full value from school property taxes.
STAR and E-STAR only applies to school district taxes for most New York residents, not city, county, or town taxes.
Exceptions are made for Buffalo, New York City, Rochester, Yonkers, and Syracuse.
In those five cities, the credit is partially applied to city taxes and also school taxes.
A special tool through the NYC Department of Finance can help residents find out whether or not checks have started going out to their area.
It varies by location with checks already going out, and some, in cities like Syracuse, for example, not headed out until mid-July.
Some of the latest distributions are for towns like DeWitt, where funds will be distributed between August and mid-September.
QUALIFYING CRITERIA
To be eligible for STAR or E-STAR, some requirements must be met.
For STAR, homes must be a primary residence that’s owner-occupied.
There’s also a combined income maximum for all owners and their spouses of $500,000.
STAR and E-STAR
STAR and E-STAR are tax relief benefits offered by the State of New York.
- STAR
- Must be primary residence occupied by at least one owner
- Owners and spouses make no more than $500,000
- E-STAR
- Must be 65 or older
- Home is primary residence occupied by at least one owner
- Combined income no more than $107,300
If it’s over $250,000, they must register for a STAR credit with the state, as well as any others who have not received it before.
Estimated check amounts are around $290, according to the NYC Department of Finance.
Income limits for E-STAR this year are $107,300 or less, along with the same criteria of the primary residence being occupied by at least one owner.
The age requirement of 65 years or older also still applies.
Approximate check amounts for E-STAR are $650.
APPLICATION CONSIDERATIONS
It’s important to note that those who meet all the criteria that have received STAR or E-STAR before will automatically be registered again and get the checks in the mail this summer.
However, those who have never gotten it before or, like for STAR, are above the $250,000 threshold must apply for the credit online or by calling (518) 457-2036.
The application window closed on March 15, so those interested must wait until September 15 to apply again.
Americans should also remain aware of other payments.
For example, New Yorkers are also getting the “first ever” $400 inflation checks this year.
A third round of $500 checks are also going out today for some, but there must be a specific marking on their bank statement.
