Westchester County STAR Credit for New Homeowners: How to Register After Closing

How do new Westchester County homeowners get the STAR credit?
New homeowners must register with the New York State Tax Department to receive the STAR credit. You must own the home and live in it as your primary residence on July 1, and your combined income must be $500,000 or less for Basic STAR.

You just closed on a colonial in White Plains, a condo in Yonkers or a split level in Mount Kisco, and the first school tax bill is already on your mind. Westchester County has some of the highest property tax bills in the state, so any relief is worth claiming. The catch is that the biggest school tax break most homeowners have heard of, the STAR exemption, works differently for people who just bought.

This guide explains how the STAR credit works for Westchester County buyers, why you may have to register yourself, what the July 1 rule means for your closing date, and what the state's published 2025 Westchester figures show. It is general information, not tax advice, so confirm details with the New York State Tax Department and your CPA.

STAR Credit vs. STAR Exemption in Westchester County

What each one is

According to the New York State Tax Department, the STAR credit is issued by the Tax Department as a check or direct deposit, and you can use it to pay your school taxes. The STAR exemption shows up as a reduction on your school tax bill. The state is clear that the exemption is no longer available to new homeowners. It continues for owners who have received it since 2015 on the same primary residence.

For a Westchester buyer, the practical meaning is simple. If you bought recently, you generally have to register for the credit, because nobody applies it to your tax bill for you.

Who qualifies for Basic STAR

The Basic STAR credit requires that you own the home, that it is your primary residence and that the combined income of the owners and their spouses is $500,000 or less. Enhanced STAR is for owners age 65 or older who meet a lower income limit. The state updates that limit periodically, so check the current figure on the Tax Department's website.

Starting in 2026, the Tax Department says income for Enhanced STAR is counted only for owners and spouses who live at the property. Owners who do not live there no longer need to provide income information.

The July 1 Rule and Your Closing Date

The Tax Department's STAR changes page states that to be eligible for a credit in a given year, you must own the property and it must be your primary residence on July 1 of that year. The state uses the owner on July 1 to determine eligibility.

That makes your closing date matter. A buyer who closes in June is the owner on July 1. A buyer who closes in August is not, and the seller may be the one the state looks to for that year. If you are timing a purchase or sale in Westchester County, ask your attorney how the July 1 date affects the year in question.

What happens in your first year

When you register, you provide your purchase date. The state notes that if the former owner received the STAR exemption, you may receive that exemption in your first year of ownership. After that, you receive the credit going forward as long as you register and remain eligible.

How to Register for the STAR Credit

1. Gather your details. Have your property address, your closing date and the sellers' names ready.
2. Log in or create an account. Use a New York State Individual Online Services account.
3. Open the Homeowner Benefit Portal. From the Services menu, choose Real property, then Homeowner Benefit Portal.
4. Register for the STAR credit. Follow the prompts and enroll in direct deposit if you prefer it to a mailed check.
5. Keep a copy. Save your confirmation with your closing documents.

The Tax Department also lists a STAR phone line at 518 457 2036 for owners who cannot register online. Because rules and dates change, confirm the current process on the state's website before you start.

What the STAR Credit Is Worth in Westchester County

The Tax Department publishes final 2025 STAR credit and exemption savings amounts for Westchester County by municipality and school district. Basic STAR credit examples from that page include $1,350.80 in the City of Mount Vernon, $1,310.08 in the City of New Rochelle, $1,280.33 in the Town of Mount Pleasant and $1,306.13 in the Town of Pound Ridge.

The state adds two cautions. A STAR benefit cannot exceed the school taxes you actually pay, so your own amount may be lower than the table. And if a district's actual tax rate came in higher than expected, the difference is added to your following year's credit. Look up your own municipality and school district on the state's page before you plan around a specific number.

A Westchester Buyer's STAR Checklist

1. Ask your attorney about July 1. Learn who the state will treat as the owner for the year of closing.
2. Register soon after closing. Do not wait for a tax bill to prompt you.
3. Check your escrow. If your lender pays school taxes from escrow, confirm how the credit is handled with your servicer and CPA.
4. Review your assessment. Grievance deadlines are set locally, so ask your town or city assessor when they fall.
5. Update your registration if you move. The credit follows your primary residence, not you.

Frequently Asked Questions About the STAR Credit in Westchester County

Do I have to register for STAR after buying a home in Westchester County?

Generally yes. The STAR exemption is not available to new homeowners, so buyers register with the New York State Tax Department to receive the STAR credit.

What is the income limit for Basic STAR?

The Tax Department lists a combined income limit of $500,000 or less for the owners and their spouses for the Basic STAR credit.

What is the July 1 rule?

To qualify for a STAR credit in a given year, you must own the property and live in it as your primary residence on July 1 of that year.

Can I get STAR if I bought a condo or townhome?

If it is your primary residence and you meet the ownership and income rules, the program applies to homeowners generally. Ask your attorney or CPA about your specific property type.

How do I receive the STAR credit?

The Tax Department issues it by check or direct deposit. You can enroll in direct deposit through the Homeowner Benefit Portal.

Will I get the prior owner's STAR exemption?

Possibly for your first year. The state says that if the former owner received the exemption, you may receive it in your first year, and then the credit after you register.

How much is the STAR credit in Westchester County?

It varies by municipality and school district. The state's final 2025 Basic STAR credit examples for Westchester towns and cities run roughly $1,280 to $1,350, and your amount cannot exceed your school taxes.

Where do I get help with STAR?

Start with the New York State Tax Department's STAR pages and its Homeowner Benefit Portal. Your CPA can advise on how the credit fits your tax situation.

Talk to a Local Expert

Steven Scarnati, a licensed real estate salesperson with Real Broker NY LLC, helps buyers and sellers across Westchester County, Putnam County, Dutchess County and Fairfield County, CT. If you are planning to buy in Westchester County, he can help you compare towns, understand the ongoing costs of ownership and plan your closing timeline. Reach him at stevescarnatihomes@gmail.com or (845) 661-3469.

Schedule a consultation with Steve Scarnati.

This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Program rules, limits and dates change, and your situation may differ. Consult a CPA, a New York real estate attorney and the New York State Tax Department about your own property.