Hey New Yorkers, Check Your Mailbox for a $1,400 Check!

We could all use a little extra money and the Empire State may be able to provide relief. Some New Yorkers are about to get a nice little surprise in the mail in the form of a check.

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It’s almost time for the New York STAR check to start hitting mailboxes to give a little bit of relief for school taxes. New York’s School Tax Relief (STAR) program is sending checks to eligible homeowners.

Depending on where you live, you might see the benefit on your tax bill now through the end of the year. If you're lucky, you might even get a STAR credit check instead. Some people in places like Monroe and Westchester County have already received their checks. Meanwhile, homeowners in Steuben and Tompkins County areas are just getting theirs.

When Will Your New York STAR Check Arrive

So when will your STAR check will arrive? You can use this handy-dandy New York state tool www8.tax.ny.gov/SCDS/scdsStart to check the delivery schedule for your area.

Keep in mind that different municipalities have different due dates for school property taxes. Make sure you check with your city, town, village, or school district to find out when you're supposed to pay.

If your STAR check hasn't shown up and your property tax due date has passed, don't panic! Reach out to the Department of Taxation and Finance through your Online Services Account or call them at 518-457-2036, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Difference Between the STAR Exemption and STAR Check

In case you’re wondering there is a difference between the STAR exemption and the check. The exemption is a direct reduction on your tax bill while the check is like a credit that comes separately.

If you're a new homeowner, you'll get a check instead of an exemption. Here's a pro tip, if you switch from an exemption to a check, you could see your savings increase every year because the STAR credit can go up by 2% annually.

If you want to register for STAR or change how you receive your benefit, just head on over to tax.ny.gov/star. Who knew, New York has money for you?

New York Counties With The Highest Property Taxes

The homeowners in which New York counties pay the most in property taxes? See the answer to that as well as how our Southern Tier counties stack up (info pulled from Tax-Rates.org).