STAR registration deadline approaches

There have been several newspaper articles stating the deadline for STAR Registration is now March 1. This seems to have arisen out of last week’s hearing. However, the STAR registration deadline remains December 31, 2013. After the 12/31/13 deadline, we’ll send a final notification to Basic STAR recipients who did not register by the deadline. The letter will make it clear that notifications will be sent to assessors to remove the exemption unless the homeowner acts promptly to complete late registration. Again, Basic STAR recipients should register by December 31, 2013 deadline and not risk losing a benefit that averages $700 statewide. Late registration will be increasingly cumbersome for taxpayers. In addition, please be aware that beginning today the Tax Department will be calling homeowners who have not registered for STAR. The automatic phone calls from the Tax Department will deliver the following pre-recorded message: “This is the New York State Tax Department with an important message. Our records indicate you may lose your Basic STAR property tax exemption, because you have not yet registered with the Tax Department. STAR can save you hundreds of dollars on your school tax bill. Please take four minutes and register today at www.tax.ny.gov, or, if you don’t have internet access, call us at (518) 457-2036.”