New York is rolling out one of its most ambitious rounds of property and rent‑related relief in decades. From soaring rents in New York City to heavy property tax burdens on homeowners upstate, the state’s new programs offer fresh hope. This article explores how seniors, low‑income families, and homeowners across cities such as New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and the Finger Lakes region are benefiting from an unprecedented wave of targeted assistance.
Property Tax Relief through the STAR Program
The flagship initiative is the School Tax Relief (STAR) program, widely recognized across New York State for easing the burden of school district property taxes. This year, nearly three million residents are tapping into a massive relief wave totaling roughly $2.2 billion.
Basic STAR is aimed at homeowners with combined household incomes below $500,000 and exempts around $30,000 of property value. Enhanced STAR is tailored specifically for seniors aged 65 or older (with incomes below approximately $107,300 in 2025), offering higher exemptions or credit amounts up to $1,500 in some cases. These checks began arriving in June and will continue into early fall statewide, including in New York City, Western New York (e.g. Buffalo, Rochester), Mid‑Hudson Valley, Long Island, Central New York (e.g. Syracuse), and the Capital District. Most recipients receive between $350 and $600 via Basic STAR, while seniors often see amounts from $700 to $1,500 depending on income and residence location.
These disbursements mark an unprecedented scale of relief, with local regional breakdowns showing, for example, over $698 million directed to Long Island and more than $158 million within the five boroughs of New York City.
How the New STAR Phase is Different
What makes this year’s STAR rollout distinct is its timing and scale: the summer‑to‑fall schedule of credit checks ensures immediate cash in hand rather than only a reduction in mailed tax bills. Residents in urban hubs like NYC, Yonkers, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo may also benefit from credits toward city or municipal school taxes—not just county schools—amplifying impact. Returning recipients are typically auto‑enrolled, while new applicants or those whose income exceeded prior thresholds need to file via the state portal by the next window, opening mid‑September.
Senior‑Focused Exemptions Beyond STAR
Beyond STAR, New York offers multiple exemption programs that are especially valuable to seniors:
Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption (SCHE)
Seniors aged 65 and above, with incomes up to roughly $58,399, may qualify for SCHE—a program that reduces the assessed value of their primary residence by 5 to 50 percent depending on income band. In cities like New York City and Albany, this can translate into substantial annual tax savings. Exemption must be reapplied for every two years.
Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE)
For eligible seniors (62 and older, income under ~$50,000) living in rent‑regulated apartments in New York City, SCRIE freezes their rent at the current level even if landlords raise it. Landlords receive a property tax credit covering the increase, and tenants continue paying the pre‑increase rent—providing housing stability amid rising market rents…