The STAR (School Tax Relief) Programs are property tax relief initiatives in New York State designed to reduce the school tax burden for eligible homeowners. 

1. **Eligibility**
The STAR program is available to homeowners who reside in their property and meet certain income limits. There are two levels of STAR benefits:
  Basic STAR - For owner-occupied, primary residences.
  Enhanced STAR - For senior citizens (65 years and older).  This provides a greater exemption than Basic STAR.

2. **Benefits**
The STAR Exemption reduces the Taxable Value of a property on the School Tax Bill so that property owner pays a smaller bill.
The STAR Credit is a credit paid directly to the property owner, either via a live mailed check or via direct deposit set up with the State Department of Taxation via their Homeowners Portal.

The amount of the benefit from either can vary based on the municipality and the homeowner’s circumstances.

3. **Application Process**
New homeowners must register for the STAR Credit online via the NYS DTF website: Register for the STAR Credit
Homeowners must apply for the Enhanced STAR Exemption through their local tax assessor's office. New applicants must provide proof of residency, ownership, verify their age and income.  The Basic STAR Exemption has been closed to new applications since 2019.

4. **Registration and Renewal**
Once granted, the STAR program generally continues from year to year. However, it may require renewal or verification.