They provide relief of from 27-to-45 percent to ALL primary resident-owners of single-to-three family dwellings, condominiums and condos anywhere in New York State. Seasonal residents are not elegible.

 

The BASIC offering provides for a gradually increasing and ongoing potential 27% school tax saving, reaching its maximum by the fall of, and carried forward into the years beyond, 2001. The exemption applies to those fitting the description in paragraph one above, regardless of their age, including senior citizens with incomes over $60,000.

Applicants for the BASIC exemption must submit, along with the form, proof of residency: a driver's license, voter's registration card, car registration or the like.

The ENHANCED offering provides for a gradually increasing and ongoing potential 45% school tax savings, reaching its maximum by the fall of, and carried forward into the years beyond 2001. The exemption applies to those fitting the description in paragraph one above, who are a minimum of 65 years of age (if married only one must be meet the age requirement) and whose combined gross incomes do NOT exceed $60,000. There are some additional, and important circumstances, that should be considered. Links are provided at the end of this page, where you may obtain the appropriate application form, the circumstances alluded to and instructions on how to fill out and file the forms.

Applicants for the ENHANCED exemption must submit, along with the form, copies of the following documents:

• * Recorded Deed;
• * proof of residency of ALL applicant owners;
• * proof of the dates of birth of ALL applicant owners;
• * if a spouse is deceased, a copy of the Death Certificate;
• * if divorced, AND the names of both parties are on the deed, a copy of the Divorce Decree;
• * proof of ALL income. Include copies of affecting parties latest Federal Income Tax Return(s) as well as Social Security 1099s and ALL other proofs of income related to the filing(s).

Applications must be filed by your communities "taxable status date." In towns, that date is usually March 1st, except in the counties of Erie (June 1), Nassau (January 2nd), and Westchester (June1st); in cities, check with your assessor. For further information, ask your local assessor for the pamphlet "Q&A about the STAR Exemption."

In Suffolk County the applications and supporting documents may be mailed or filed in person at the Assessor's Office located at 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, New York 11738. Additional information may be obtained by calling 631-451-6306.

In Nassau County the applications and supporting documents may be mailed or filed in person at the Assessor's Office located at the Nassau County Department of Assessment, 240 Old County Road, Fourth Floor, Mineola, NY 11501. Additional information may be obtained by calling 571-1500.

Before downloading any of the following, please adjust your browser's font to insure that each document fits on its own single printed page. Users of AOL's proprietory browser should set the font to "small." Netscape users should set their font size to 9 points; while those using Microsoft's Internet Explorer should use the smallest font setting. When ready, choose both the appropriate form and a copy of the instructions via the following links:

* The BASIC exemption application.
* The ENHANCED exemption application.
* NY State's General Information and Application Instructions for the STAR Program Exemption Applications.

And, one more thing. Once you've filed, see to it that your school district doesn't try to double-dip you, by increasing the taxes by more than a reasonal amount. Administrators, teachers and their union bosses are drooling over the prospects here.