A STAR problem starts with the program name and the notice.

Work the problem in this order

1. 1.

   Identify credit or exemption

   A STAR credit usually arrives from the state; an older STAR exemption appears on the school-tax bill. Look for the program name before deciding that a payment or bill line is missing.

2. 2.

   Open the Homeowner Benefit Portal

   Use the Tax Department's Individual Online Services account to check registration status, property information, primary residence, owners, notices, and any action requested.

3. 3.

   Match the notice to the exact issue

   Ownership, a recent purchase, income verification, age, a trust or estate, more than one property, or an address mismatch can each require different proof. Send only through the route in the current notice or portal.

4. 4.

   Check timing before treating it as late

   School-tax bills and STAR credit delivery do not follow one statewide date. The Tax Department publishes delivery information, and local bill timing varies.

5. 5.

   Pay the tax bill on time

   Do not wait for a missing STAR credit before paying a school-tax bill. Pay the taxing authority by its deadline to avoid interest or penalties, then pursue the STAR credit separately.

6. 6.

   Let the notice name the owner

   The Tax Department handles STAR registration, credits, many state-issued exemption eligibility determinations, and protests from those notices. The assessor maintains the local roll and applies or corrects the exemption there. Some state denial notices allow only 45 days, so follow the office and deadline printed on the notice instead of assuming every exemption problem belongs first with the assessor.