Assessor
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Contact Information: Gregory Klingler, Assessor Marion Eagan, Assistant to the Assessor P.O. Box 423 Chestertown, New York 12817 Phone #: (518) 494-3515 Office Hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. |
Applications
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!!! Enhanced STaR Update Notice - January 2020 !!!
Last year (2019) the New York State Dept of Taxation and Finance (DTF) required all seniors who receive the Enhanced STAR exemption to register with them by enrolling in their Income Verification Program (IVP). Their stated purpose was for them to be able to determine who qualifies for the Enhanced STAR, not having seniors renew every year with their local Assessor. When this was implemented Assessors were told that the DTF would be able to examine the income of everyone enrolled in the Enhanced STAR program, whether if they filed state income tax returns or not. We (Assessors), in turn, passed this info onto those who enrolled in the DTF income verification program when they signed up. However, This Is Not The Case as it was recently discovered that the DTF is NOT able to determine incomes for seniors who do not file state income tax returns. Because of this, the DTF is mailing letters to those seniors who do not file NYS income tax returns and asking them to fill in their 2018 income. If you receive such a letter, BE SURE to fill it out and mail it back to them (the DTF, not your Assessor) at the address and within the time-frame specified in the letter. Do not return it to your Assessor.
New STAR (School Tax Relief) Program Information
As of April 1, 2016, the STAR program has been restructured and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has taken over the registration of new homeowners who wish to register for the STAR or Enhanced STAR… Your local Assessor no longer register new homeowners for this program. The Basic STAR is available for all NY homeowners who reside in their home as their primary residence. The Enhanced STAR is a larger discount for seniors 65 or older who meet the income limits as prescribed by the State. These programs no longer discount the school tax the amount off the school tax bills, rather the State will now issue refund checks in the amount of the exemption.
In order to register for either STAR programs, the homeowner needs to register with the New York State Department of Taxation. You can either register on-line at www.tax.ny.gov/star or by calling them at (518) 457-2036. Online registration is easy and only takes a few minutes. If you call to register, be sure to ask about the Enhanced STAR if you’re 65 or older. For other questions or concerns pertaining to the STAR program call their hotline at (518) 457-2036.