STAR Program will bring a partial school property tax exemption to all residents of Clarkstown.

As part of the 1997 state budget the State of New York agreed to provide school property tax relief to property tax owners residing in owner-occupied, primary residences.

Senior citizens (aged 65 or older) whose gross income is below $60,000 will be eligible for an exemption on their 1998-99 school tax bill. All other property owners will be eligible for an exemption starting with the 1999-2000 tax bill.

In order to be eligible a senior citizen whose gross income is below $60,000 will need to apply with the assessor's office no later than March 2, 1998. Seniors should bring proof of age and residency when applying for their enhanced benefit. In addition applications must be accompanied by a 1997 income tax return and social security statement for 1997.

The STAR program benefit is in the form of a real property tax exemption. Hence, the tax reduction will be realized when the bills are sent from the tax collector's office beginning for eligible seniors in September of 1998. The school tax bill will clearly state the amount of the STAR exemption and the tax savings realized thourgh this program.

For qualifying senior citizens, STAR works by exempting the first $50,000 of the full value of a home from school taxes. The exemption is phased in over four years, in $12,500 increments beginning with school taxes levied in 1998. Beginning with school tax bills due in 1999, STAR is extended to all New Yorkers who own their own home, condominium or cooperative apartment. For these taxpayers, STAR works by exempting the first $30,000 of the full value of a home from school taxes. The exemption is phased in over three years, in $10,000 increments.

In order to fund this program the cost to the state will be $155 million in 1998 when the program is in its first year, increasing to $2.22 billion in 2001. If this level of funding is not met exemptions could be reduced from that indicated.

** the assessor's office is located at 10 Maple Avenue, New City