In recent years New York's Legislature has taken several steps to change the way the popular STAR tax program is administered.  The State has continued to implement a series of modifications to how New Yorkers receive their rebates. New York has been moving away from providing STAR as an upfront savings on School Tax bills.

The modification began in 2016 when New Yorkers who bought their home after August 1, 2015 received their STAR checks in the mail rather than receive the reduction in their school tax bill.

Another round of modifications was recently made in the State Budget that was approved on Monday April 1, 2019.

The first change will start this fall and expands the mail check program to include not only new homeowners, but also to anyone earning between $250,000 and $500,000 a year.  These homeowners will receive a check for their STAR rebates rather than receive the savings directly in their school-tax bills.  As a result, only those homeowners who fall below the $250,000 threshold and who bought their existing home prior to mid-2015 will receive the STAR discount directly off of their School Tax bills. 

The second change allows homeowners who qualify for the STAR to have a choice as to whether to stay with the current system or shift to the State's program. However, those who stay with the current system will have the amount of their benefit frozen at 2019 levels - they will lose the 2% increase each year.   This will incentivize existing homeowners and new homeowners who fall below the $250,000 threshold to elect to receive a rebate check.   If the switch is not made to receiving a check, the homeowner will not receive the 2 percent increase in their tax savings this fall.   The rebate will essentially remain the same until the switch to checks is made.

The State's goal is to move everyone over to receiving checks as the Governor claims it is more efficient for the State. The changes won't impact who is eligible for the program - just whether they receive the rebates in a check or as a reduction in their school-tax bills.

The NY State Tax Department is expected to send letters to eligible property owners with instructions for switching.  Property owners can also find instructions online to end their current STAR exemption and register with the State. Homeowners need to notify their town assessor in writing. Then register with the state.  A homeowner can call the State tax department with questions at 518-457-2036.

STAR PROGRAM FACTS

• If you own your home, it is your primary residence, and your income is $500,000 or less, you are eligible for the Basic STAR credit.
• Senior citizens - those who have jointly owned property with one spouse or sibling who is age 65 by year's end - they are eligible to receive Enhanced STAR. The income eligibility is $86,300 or less.
• Enhanced STAR is a larger rebate: Seniors get an average $1,400 a year back on their school taxes.
• STAR is based on the first $30,000 of the full value of a home. For Enhanced STAR, it is based on the first $68,700.
• Last year, New York issued 343,000 STAR checks.
• The STAR program is a separate program from the Property Tax Relief Credit.  These checks are mailed to homeowners with an adjusted gross household income of $275,000 or less and whose school district remained under the property tax-cap.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
New York State Land Title Association
First American Title Insurance Company
666 Third Avenue
New York NY 10017
April 9, 2019
10:30 AM

AGENDA
1.    Call to order – President Stancanelli
2.    President’s Greeting – President Stancanelli
3.    Approval of February Minutes - Executive Director Treuber
4.    Exec Director Report – Executive Director Treuber
5.    Treasurer Report – Mr. Frates
6.    Litigation/Legislation – President Stancanelli
7.    Report from ALTA – ALTA CEO Cornelia Horner
8.    Title Section Report – Chair Keyse
9.    Agent Section Report – Chair Giliotti
10.    Education Committee – Chair Labar
11.    Legislative Committee Report – Chair Keyse
12.    Municipal Liaison Committee Report – Chair Scaturro
13.    Remote Online Notary Committee Report – Chair Vincini
14.    New Business
15.    Adjourn

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

New York State Land Title Association

First Nationwide Title Agency

50 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard

Uniondale, NY 11553

February 26, 2019 10:30 AM

AGENDA

1. Call to order – President Stancanelli
2. President’s Greeting – President Stancanelli
3. Approval of January 2019 Minutes - Executive Director Treuber
4.  Exec Director Report – Executive Director Treuber
5. Litigation/Legislation Update – President Stancanelli & Members
6. Title Section Report – Chair Keyse
7. Legislation Committee Report – Chair Keyse
8. Agent Section Report – Chair Giliotti
9. Land Records Committee/Suffolk – Ms. Farrell
   E-recording update
10. Law Committee – Chair Danzi
    Recommended Practices
11. Municipal Liaison Committee Report – Chair Scaturro
    NYC DEP letter
    Town of Hempstead
12. New Business
13. Adjourn

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
New York State Land Title Association
First Nationwide Title Agency
50 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11553

February 12, 2019 10:30 AM


AGENDA
1.    Call to order – President Stancanelli
2.    President’s Greeting – President Stancanelli
3.    Approval of January 2019 Minutes - Executive Director Treuber
4.    Exec Director Report – Executive Director Treuber
5.    Treasurer Report – Mr. Frates
6.    Litigation/Legislation Update – President Stancanelli & Members
7.    Title Section Report – Chair Keyse
8.    Agent Section Report – Chair Giliotti
9.    Land Records Committee/Suffolk – Ms. Farrell
          a.    E-recording update
10.  Law Committee – Chair Danzi
          a.    Recommended Practices
11.  Municipal Liaison Committee Report – Chair Scaturro
          a.    NYC DEP letter
          b.    Town of Hempstead
12.    New Business
13.    Adjourn

NOTE -

This meeting is closed to new registrations. The meeting space is "at legal capacity".

Members may audit via conference call.

To get the call-in number, log-in to the Member site and go to: https://nyslta.site-ym.com/page/Exec .

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

New York State Land Title Association

TitleVest

110 East 42^nd Street

October 17, 2018

10:30 AM

AGENDA

Call to order – President Stancanelli

President’s Greeting – President Stancanelli

Approval of September Minutes - Executive Director Treuber

 Exec Director Report – Executive Director Treuber

Treasurer Report – Mr. Frates

Litigation Committee Report – Mr. Estrella & Mr. Giliotti

Legislative Initiative – President Stancanelli

Title Section Report – Chair Keyse

Agent Section Report – Chair Giliotti

a.       Mt. Vernon RPT

b.       FinCEN contact person

c.       Core Title Service

d.       Defense Fund

e.       Agents Dues

f.        Mutual Indemnity Agreement

g.       PAC

Education Committee – Chair Labar

Law Committee – Chair Danzi

Newsletter Committee Report – Chair Schirtzer

New Business

Adjourn

The twelve voting members of the Agents and Abstracters Section will be:

The next Executive Committee Meeting will be held at 10:30 am on November 13, 2018 at First Nationwide Title Agency, 50 Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Uniondale, NY 11553.