Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Mid Hudson) is reminding homeowners currently receiving the STAR property tax exemption to register before Dec. 31 to continue receiving the benefit in 2014. The registration requirement does not apply to seniors receiving Enhanced STAR.

“If you’re a homeowner and are already receiving the Basic STAR benefit, all it takes is a few minutes of your time to continue seeing savings in the future,” said Assemblymember Barrett. “Doing so also helps New York weed out waste, fraud and abuse. This is a relatively simple step we can take to save taxpayers money.”

This one-time registration requirement is intended to ensure that homeowners can continue to receive their tax break. Improper STAR exemptions cost New Yorkers an estimated $13 million in 2010-11 due to false or duplicate registrations. Without reforming the program, it could cost New Yorkers $73 million by 2015-16.

Registering is easy: All homeowners have to do is provide basic information about themselves and their spouses, including Social Security numbers and STAR codes, which were distributed to recipients via mail. These STAR codes can also be looked up online at https://www8.tax.ny.gov/STRL/strlStart. Homeowners may also register online by following the previous link or by calling the tax department at 518-457-2036.

If homeowners fail to register by the Dec. 31 deadline, they will lose the STAR exemption and have to re-start the process from the beginning. The Basic STAR program is available for owner-occupied primary residences where household income does not exceed $500,000. The average savings from the program is $700 per year.

For more information about the STAR registration process, please visit Assemblymember Barrett’s website at www.assembly.ny.gov/barrett or contact her office by calling either 518-828-1961 or 845-454-1703.