Homeowners In White Plains, To Apply For New York States STAR Program

In Westchester County, December 1st Deadline Applies Only to the City of White Plains Nearly 3 Million Homeowners Saved $2.5B

Governor George E. Pataki today encouraged homeowners in the City of White Plains, Westchester County, to apply for STAR by the December 1st deadline to receive significant tax savings. The deadline for other Westchester County municipalities has already passed. Applications are available from the White Plains Assessor’s office or can be accessed online at the State Office of Real Property Services

Homeowners who have never applied for the STAR exemption or have moved to a new home, and seniors who must reapply for the enhanced STAR exemption, are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. Last year, Westchester County homeowners saved an average of $1,690 thanks to the STAR Program. In addition, seniors saved an average of $2,680 thanks to the Enhanced STAR exemption.

The STAR exemption consists of two parts: (1) a "basic" exemption available to virtually all New Yorkers who own their own one, two, or three family home, condominium, cooperative apartment or mobile home; and (2) an "enhanced" exemption available to senior citizens (age 65 and older) with yearly incomes below the income standard (for 2006 assessment rolls, seniors' 2004 incomes must be $66,050 or less). For both exemptions, the property must be the applicant's primary residence.

To re-qualify for the enhanced STAR exemption, seniors must verify that their household income falls within the income threshold set under the program. Eligible seniors can avoid having to re-verify their income each year by signing up for the state's Income Verification Program.