STAR Program

New York State, through the STAR program, provides an exemption from school taxes for all owner-occupied primary residence (including mobile homes in parks).

Basic STAR - is for all owner-occupied residences with annual income under $500,000 (new legislation for 2011) and no age requirement.

Enhanced (or Senior) STAR - is for owners 65 years of age or over (by 12/31 of the year you are applying for) with a 2009 income under $79,050 for the 2011 tax year (the maximum income allowed changes every year).

Driver's Licences are required for all STAR exemptions; Bills of Sale are also required for Mobile Homes.

Senior Exemption

(For those with a lower income) RP467 & RP467-INS. Reduction in school and town and county taxes for qualified incomes. 65 years of age and income under $32,400 for Ballston and Galway Schools; income under $37,400 for Saratoga Springs school and income under $24,000 for Town Taxes. For this exemption income equals your total income for the prior year minus out of pocket medical expenses.

Disability Exemption

RP459-c & RP459 INS. For owners under 65 years of age that quality for Social Security Disability and have a limited income. Saratoga Springs School allows a total income of $32, 400 and Ballston School allows a total income of $26,900 for the prior year.

Veterans Exemption

RP458A or RP458B. Prior active duty with a DD214 discharge paper for militay service is required. All dates of service qualify. Alternative vets are service during a foreign war period. Cold War Vets are service during peacetime.

Agricultural Exemption

Must meet an income and acreage requirement or lease land to a farmer who does qualify.

Exemption Renewals

Senior (Enhanced) STAR - mailed to homeowners in October
Senior exemptions for lower income - mailed to homeowners in January
Disability exemption - mailed to homeowners in January
Agricultural exemption - mailed in January

No renewals are required for Basic STAR or Veterans Exemptions

March 1st of each year is the last day for filing information or exemptions for rolls and bills published during the next 12 months.