Why are 3 million New Yorkers getting STAR checks?

$2 billion in property tax relief is moving toward nearly 3 million New York homeowners this summer and fall, with payments tied to the state’s School Tax Relief program. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the money will arrive through checks, direct deposit or tax exemptions, depending on how a homeowner receives STAR. The timing matters because the payments are scheduled around school tax deadlines, when property owners often feel one of the year’s sharpest household budget hits.

The Bottom Line

• Nearly 3 million eligible New York homeowners are set to receive more than $2 billion in STAR tax relief.
• Most homeowners with incomes under $500,000 will receive $350 to $600.
• Most seniors eligible for Enhanced STAR will receive $700 to $1,500, with income limits reported at about $110,000 to $110,750 in the provided reports.
• Checks have started going out and deliveries will continue through the summer and fall.
• Homeowners can check eligibility, payment schedules and direct deposit options through the STAR program website listed by state and local reports.

Breaking It Down

The announcement centers on New York’s STAR program, which rebates or offsets part of the school taxes paid by eligible homeowners. According to WRGB’s local report, Hochul said checks will be mailed through the summer and fall, with almost a quarter of a million Capital Region homeowners receiving more than $136 million.

In Rochester and the Finger Lakes region, the figures are also substantial. WHEC reported about $193.7 million in STAR relief for the Finger Lakes region, reaching around 274,000 eligible homeowners. Statewide, checks have already started to be delivered, and eligible homeowners registered for STAR are expected to receive their check before their school tax deadline.

The regional breakdown shows why the program is politically and financially visible across New York. Spectrum News listed $461.1 million for the Mid-Hudson region, $168.5 million for Western New York, $123.7 million for Central New York and $62.5 million for the Mohawk Valley. In New York City, CBS News reported that 474,000 residents are expected to receive funds, while Long Island has hundreds of thousands of recipients as well.

Hochul framed the payments as part of an affordability push. CBS News quoted her saying, “I need to make sure that we're doing everything we can at the state level to put money back in your pockets.” Local reports also noted that some homeowners receive the benefit as a tax exemption rather than a rebate check, so the delivery method will not be identical for every recipient.

STAR

The School Tax Relief program, which helps eligible New York homeowners offset school property taxes.

Enhanced STAR

A larger STAR benefit for eligible seniors, with reported checks generally ranging from $700 to $1,500.

Tax exemption

A benefit that lowers a tax bill directly instead of arriving as a separate check.

Why This Matters

Property taxes are not a one-time irritation for homeowners; they shape whether families and seniors can keep up with the cost of staying in their homes. That is why the senior benefit matters: fixed-income households have less room to absorb higher grocery, energy and housing costs, and the Enhanced STAR range can be more than twice the size of the basic payment.

The program also lands at a moment when state lawmakers are emphasizing household affordability. State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said, “Property taxes often decide whether a family can stay in the home they have lived in for decades.” That framing explains why officials are pushing direct deposit and check-tracking: the faster the payment reaches a household, the more useful it becomes before school tax deadlines.

For homeowners outside New York, the story is a reminder of how states can use tax credits and rebates to soften local tax pressure. The details are specific to New York, but the tension is familiar across the US: rising living costs meet local property tax bills, and households look for relief that arrives before bills come due.

What Comes Next

Payments will continue through the summer and fall. Spectrum News reported that residents in places with school tax due dates in late June and July, including Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, can expect checks soon. CBS News reported that New York City residents can expect funds in mailboxes or direct deposit accounts late this month.

Eligible homeowners who do not want to wait for a paper check are being encouraged to enroll in direct deposit. Reports and lawmakers repeatedly pointed residents to ny.gov/STAR to check eligibility, track a check, review delivery schedules or sign up for direct deposit.