Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson (D-Rochester/Chili/Henrietta) announced that registration for Basic STAR exemptions will take place from August 19 through December 31, 2013. New legislation requires all homeowners receiving a Basic STAR exemption to register with the New York State Tax Department in order to receive the exemption in 2014 and subsequent years. This new registration requirement is part of an initiative to safeguard against fraudulent STAR exemptions.

A state comptroller’s report this year found that improper STAR filings could cost New Yorkers up to $73 million in fraud by 2015-16. This new initiative will seek to stop people from claiming the tax breaks on multiple homes. To read the full report, visit: http://tinyurl.com/SchoolTaxRelief

“The STAR exemption provides our local homeowners with much-needed real property tax relief,” said Assemblymember Bronson. “The registration process is simple and I’m encouraging all qualified homeowners to register as early as possible so they don’t miss out on these savings.”

The state tax department will mail instructions, including a STAR code necessary for registration, to all homeowners who currently receive the exemption. Homeowners will then be able to register through the tax department’s website, www.tax.ny.gov or over the phone by calling 518-457-2036.

After registering, homeowners currently receiving a Basic STAR exemption will not be required to re-register every year. In subsequent years, the tax department will be able to confirm whether homeowners are eligible for the exemption based on the information provided in the registration process, noted Assemblymember Bronson.

The new registration process won’t apply to the 650,000 senior citizens who receive the Enhanced STAR exemption. Enhanced STAR recipients must continue to apply annually, or participate in the Income Verification Program. Additionally, first-time Basic STAR applicants are not affected by this year’s registration procedure and must file the necessary paperwork with their local assessor.

If any homeowners have questions or need help applying for STAR exemptions, they can call Assemblymember Bronson’s office at 244-5255.