March 1 is deadline for STAR exemption filing

ALBANY — The deadline to apply for the STAR property tax break for both seniors age 65 and over and to non-seniors is March 1. Residents who own their primary residence and are under age 65 are eligible to receive the “basic” STAR exemption and should contact their local tax assessors if they have never applied for this tax break or are new homeowners who missed last year’s March 1 deadline. Residents who own their home, turn 65 years of age at any time during 2008, and meet the income requirements can qualify for the “enhanced” STAR exemption, which is almost 90 greater than the “basic” STAR exemption available to all other homeowners under age 65. For 2008, the “enhanced” STAR exemption is available to homeowners 65 years of age or older whose income did not exceed $70,650 in 2006. For property jointly owned by a spouse or siblings, only one of the homeowners must have reached age 65, and eligibility is then based on the combined income of the owners. If this income limit is exceeded, they are still eligible to receive the “basic” STAR exemption. Enhanced STAR recipients must apply every year unless they have filed under the Income Verification Program with their town or village assessors.