New York STAR Checks of Up to $1,500 Are Going Out: Eligibility and Payment Dates

New York STAR Checks July: New York has started sending its 2026 School Tax Relief (STAR) payments to eligible homeowners. The program helps reduce school property tax costs across the state. It helps homeowners pay less in school property taxes. Around 2.78 million homeowners and seniors are expected to receive help this year. New York plans to provide about $2.1 billion in total STAR tax relief. The money and tax savings will be sent during the summer and fall of 2026.

How much Money can Homeowners Receive?

The amount is not the same for every person. Most homeowners who receive the Basic STAR credit will get between $350 and $600. Older homeowners may get more money through Enhanced STAR. Most seniors who qualify for this larger benefit will receive between $700 and $1,500. The real amount depends on the homeowner’s school district, property value, and local school tax rates.

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Basic STAR is available for an eligible home that is used as the owner’s main home. There is no age rule for Basic STAR, and the income limit is $500,000 for the STAR credit. People who still receive the older STAR exemption must generally have an income of $250,000 or less.

To qualify for Enhanced STAR in 2026:

• At least one owner who lives in the home must be 65 or older by December 31, 2026
• The income limit should be $110,750 or less
• Only the income of owners and their spouses who live in the home is counted. The income of an owner who lives somewhere else is not included

When will the STAR Payment Arrive?

The first STAR checks have already started going out. More payments will be sent during the rest of the summer and fall. There is no single payment day for the whole state. Each area has its own school tax dates.

• New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse have school tax deadlines in late June or July. Because of this, many people in these places receive their STAR benefits earlier.
• Other parts of New York may receive their payments later in the summer or during the fall.

Eligible homeowners should normally receive their STAR credit before their local school tax payment is due. People can use the state’s STAR Credit Delivery Schedule to see when payments are expected to start in their area. The listed date may be the day the state begins sending payments. It may not be the exact day every person receives the money.

How will you receive your STAR Benefit?

Not every homeowner gets money in the same way. Some people receive the STAR exemption. This lowers the amount shown on their school property tax bill.

Other people receive the STAR credit. The credit may arrive as a paper check or as money placed directly into a bank account. New homeowners and people who were not receiving the exemption on their current home in 2015 generally need to register for the STAR credit. The STAR exemption is no longer open to new applicants.

People who already receive the older exemption may continue getting a reduction on their tax bill. But they can choose to switch to the STAR credit. A married couple can normally receive only one STAR benefit even when they own more than one home. The property must also be the main home of an eligible owner.

How to Sign up for Direct Deposit?

Direct deposit can help homeowners receive the STAR credit more quickly. It also removes the risk of a paper check being lost or sent to the wrong place.

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Go to the New York Tax Department’s Online Services page.

• Log in to an existing Individual Online Services account or create a new account
• Open the Services menu
• Choose “Real property tax” from the available choices
• Open the Homeowner Benefit Portal.
• Select “Actions”
• Then choose “Enroll in or edit Direct Deposit”
• Enter the requested bank information

Homeowners should complete the direct deposit request as early as possible. A person who signs up less than 15 days before the state issues the credit may still receive a paper check for 2026.