New York state to send tax relief checks to millions
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York announced a $2.1 billion tax relief program that will send checks to nearly 3 million residents in 2026.
The program, called STAR (School Tax Relief), offsets the cost of property taxes for homeowners across the state. The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance will distribute the payments either by mail or through direct deposit before local school tax deadlines.
Most eligible homeowners with incomes under $500,000 will receive checks ranging from $350 to $600. Senior citizens aged 65 and older with qualified incomes can receive larger payments through an Enhanced STAR program. Eligible seniors earning up to $110,750 annually will receive checks from $700 to $1500. Long Island will receive the largest share of the funds, with $659.2 million going to 572,000 residents. New homeowners or those not already enrolled must register with the program to receive payments.
Residents can also sign up for direct deposit through the state’s online portal to receive funds more quickly.
