Who Qualifies for New York’s STAR Check? Eligibility Requirements Explained

New York’s STAR Check Eligibility: New York has started mailing STAR tax credit checks to homeowners across the state. STAR means School Tax Relief. Governor Kathy Hochul’s office said nearly 3 million New Yorkers will get more than $2 billion in tax relief this summer and fall through the program. Some people will get the money as a tax exemption, while many others will get a check in the mail or direct deposit.

For many families, this relief matters because property taxes can be a heavy bill every year. State officials said the average STAR benefit in 2026 is several hundred dollars, but the exact amount depends on the school district, income, and property value. The governor’s announcement said most homeowners with a STAR credit may get about $350 to $600, while most seniors with Enhanced STAR may get about $700 to $1,500.

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Who Qualifies For STAR

STAR has two main parts.

• Basic STAR is for owner-occupied homes that are used as a primary residence. The state says the income limit for the Basic STAR credit is $500,000, while the old exemption version has a lower limit of $250,000.
• Enhanced STAR is for senior citizens age 65 and older who also meet the income rules. For the 2026 benefits year, the Enhanced STAR income limit is $110,750 or less.

The property must be owned by the applicant, and the home must be the person’s primary residence. Vacation homes, rental homes, and investment properties usually do not qualify.

The state also says homeowners only need to register once. After that, they can keep getting the STAR credit every year as long as they stay eligible. New homeowners, or people who are not already getting STAR on their current home, should register as soon as the home becomes their primary residence.

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When does the money arrive?

The state says check deliveries have already begun and will continue through the summer and fall. Some places will see the money sooner because of local school tax dates. New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse are among the places where school tax deadlines come earlier, so some homeowners there should get their STAR benefits sooner than others. Homeowners can also track the status of their payment or choose direct deposit through the Tax Department’s STAR tools.