Homeowner Tax Savings Guide
Explore the STAR Credit, property tax exemptions, and homeowner programs that may help eligible Staten Island homeowners reduce annual housing costs.
Many NYC exemptions generally use a March 15 filing date, adjusted to the next business day when necessary. STAR Credit registration does not use that same annual deadline. Always confirm the current date on the official program page.
A Guide for Staten Island Homeowners
Could You Be Missing Out on Valuable Tax Savings?
Every year, homeowners may qualify for credits and exemptions that help reduce the ongoing cost of homeownership. Some programs provide school-tax relief, while others are designed for qualifying seniors, veterans, or homeowners with disabilities.
Benefits are not always automatic. Eligibility can also change as age, income, ownership, residency, disability status, or military-service circumstances change.
This guide gives you a practical starting point and directs you to the government agencies responsible for applications, renewals, deadlines, and final eligibility decisions.
Which Programs May Apply to Me?
Select every statement that applies. This quick tool points you toward sections worth reviewing; it does not determine eligibility.
Tax Credits and Exemptions
Programs Worth Reviewing
Each program has its own agency, rules, documentation, and renewal process. Use the official buttons to verify current information.
STAR Credit
The School Tax Relief Program helps eligible New York homeowners offset school property taxes. Most homeowners who are new to STAR receive a state-issued credit rather than the older exemption shown directly on a tax bill.
General considerations
- You own the property.
- It is your primary residence.
- Your qualifying income meets the current limit.
- You register with New York State.
Do not assume the prior owner's benefit transfers to you. Review STAR registration after closing.
Enhanced STAR
Enhanced STAR provides a larger STAR benefit for qualifying senior homeowners who meet age, primary-residence, and income requirements.
- At least one qualifying owner generally must be age 65 or older.
- The home must be a primary residence.
- Qualifying combined income must be within the annual limit.
Beginning with 2026 benefits, income eligibility is based on resident owners and their spouses who reside at the property.
Senior Citizen Homeowners' Exemption
SCHE can reduce the assessed value used to calculate NYC property taxes for qualifying senior homeowners. The reduction may range from 5% to 50%, depending on income and eligibility.
- Age, ownership-duration, income, and primary-residence rules apply.
- The current NYC income ceiling is $58,399.
- Renewal is generally required every two years when NYC Finance instructs you to renew.
SCHE and STAR are separate. A homeowner may qualify for both, but each has its own process.
Disabled Homeowners' Exemption
DHE may reduce NYC real property taxes by 5% to 50% for qualifying low-income homeowners with disabilities.
- The disability must meet the program's documentation rules.
- The home generally must be the primary residence.
- The current NYC income ceiling is $58,399.
- Annual renewal is generally required.
Missing a required renewal can interrupt the benefit. Watch for notices from NYC Finance.
Veterans' Property Tax Exemptions
Qualifying veterans and certain family members may be eligible for NYC property tax exemptions. Available benefits depend on service history, disability status, ownership, and the applicable exemption.
- Alternative Veterans' Exemption
- Eligible Funds Exemption
- Cold War service eligibility and related provisions
- Additional disability-related benefits
NYC states that, effective December 2025, Cold War veterans became eligible to apply for the Alternative Veterans Exemption.
Clergy Exemption
Certain active or retired members of the clergy may qualify for a partial exemption on a qualifying residence. Verify current legal, income, ownership, and property-use requirements with NYC Finance.
Property Assessment Review
NYC property taxes depend on tax class, assessed value, applicable tax rates, and approved exemptions or abatements. Assessed value is not the same as probable market value.
- Check classification, square footage, lot size, and building details.
- Confirm approved benefits appear on your account.
- Review significant changes from the prior year.
- Note that Class 1 assessment appeal deadlines generally fall in March.
A real estate market analysis does not determine the city's taxable assessed value or replace tax advice.
At-a-Glance Comparison
Compare Common Programs
| Program | Generally for | Benefit | Agency | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STAR Credit | Eligible primary-residence owners | School-tax relief payment | New York State | State verification applies |
| Enhanced STAR | Qualifying owners age 65+ | Larger STAR benefit | New York State | Income verification applies |
| SCHE | Qualifying low-income seniors | Assessed-value reduction | New York City | Generally every two years |
| DHE | Qualifying homeowners with disabilities | Assessed-value reduction | New York City | Generally annually |
| Veterans | Eligible veterans and qualifying family | Assessed-value reduction | New York City | Varies |
Verify Before You Apply
Official Homeowner Resources
STAR Resource Center
Registration, eligibility, benefit types, changes, and FAQs.
Residential Exemptions
Central information for NYC homeowner exemptions.
Check Your Filing
Review the status of certain exemption applications.
SCHE
Eligibility, documents, application, and renewal information.
DHE
Requirements and filing information for qualifying homeowners.
Veterans' Exemptions
Available exemptions, service requirements, and documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions Homeowners Often Ask
No. New homeowners generally need to register with New York State for the STAR Credit. Do not assume the prior owner's benefit transfers.
No. The credit is generally issued by New York State, while the older exemption reduces the school-tax portion shown on the property tax bill.
Possibly. Some homeowners may qualify for STAR and another exemption, but each program has separate rules and some combinations may be restricted.
Not immediately. When taxes are escrowed, an approved reduction may affect the payment after the lender completes a future escrow analysis.
Use the official agency for program eligibility and consult a qualified tax professional or attorney for advice about income, trusts, estates, ownership, disability, or military-service circumstances.
Homeowner Checklist
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There’s Always More Behind the Sale
Questions About Your Home’s Value?
Tax programs are handled by government agencies and tax professionals. For guidance about your Staten Island home's market position or a future move, Joann is here to help.