New York Residents Could Get Up to $1,500 This Fall – Are You Eligible?

Published On: December 13, 2025

Good news if you live in New York: a new wave of payouts is heading your way this fall, and you could receive up to $1,500 as part of the state’s ongoing tax relief programs. Around three million residents are expected to benefit from this major initiative, which aims to ease the burden of high living costs, property taxes, and inflation for homeowners and renters alike.

Let’s break down what’s happening, who qualifies, and how to make sure you don’t miss out.

Background

Although federal tax season officially wrapped up in April—unless you filed for a December extension—many states are still actively running their own tax programs. These include both income tax filing obligations and state-specific rebate programs that offer residents a chance to receive money back.

New York is one of those states currently distributing rebates. And while the paperwork might be tedious, the payout could be well worth it—especially if you’re eligible for the state’s School Tax Relief (STAR) program.

Federal Filing

Before we cut into the STAR program, here’s a quick reminder: If you haven’t filed your federal taxes yet and didn’t request an extension, you’re likely racking up penalties. This includes interest on unpaid taxes and potential fines from the IRS. In rare but serious cases, legal action could even be taken.

For those who applied for an extension, your new filing deadline is in December. Either way, it’s important to stay on top of both your federal and state obligations—especially if you want to benefit from additional state rebates like the one New York is offering.

No Income Tax

Live in Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wyoming, Tennessee, or New Hampshire? You don’t need to worry about state income tax—but you should still check if your state is offering other rebates or relief programs, like property tax credits or family-related payouts.

STAR Program

If you’re in New York, this is where the real opportunity lies. The STAR (School Tax Relief) program has been helping residents lower their property tax bills for years. Now, it’s estimated to send out $2.2 billion in rebates this fall alone, with individual payouts going as high as $1,500.

Here’s a breakdown of the STAR options:

STAR Program	Who Qualifies	Max Income Limit
Basic STAR	Homeowners with a primary residence	$500,000 (credit) or $250,000 (exemption)
Enhanced STAR	Homeowners 65+ with low/moderate income	$107,300 or less

If you’re eligible, your STAR benefit will either be applied as a property tax exemption or sent as a direct check or deposit depending on your enrollment status.

Additional Relief

New York isn’t stopping there. The state continues to roll out various tax relief and rebate initiatives aimed at combating inflation and supporting families:

Child Tax Credit expansion to help parents deal with rising family costs
Inflation relief payments for low- and middle-income households
New baby rebates for parents who recently welcomed a child

With living expenses in New York—and especially New York City—consistently ranking among the highest in the world, these payments provide some much-needed breathing room.

Payout Details

Here’s what you can expect from this year’s STAR-related rebate:

Program	Max Payout	Estimated Recipients
STAR (Basic & Enhanced)	Up to $1,500	Around 3 million
Total Funds	$2.2 billion

If you’re a New York homeowner or senior, now’s the time to check your eligibility and make sure you’ve submitted the correct paperwork to the New York Department of Tax and Finance. You may already be enrolled, but it never hurts to double-check.