
NYS Department of Taxation and Finance
The first and most important point to remember is that the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (NYSDTF) administers the STAR Credit payment mails directly — not your local town or county assessor’s office.
Therefore, any status inquiries must be directed to the state’s official resources.
1. Check the STAR Credit Delivery Schedule
The primary tool for tracking your payment is the STAR Credit Delivery Schedule on the NYSDTF website.
- How it Works: The state does not mail all checks at once. The state releases the payments in batches throughout the summer and fall — typically based on the school district’s schedule.
- What You Get: By entering your county, school district, and town, the tool will display the date the NYSDTF began (or will begin) to mail checks to homeowners in your area.
- Delivery Time: The department advises allowing five to ten business days after the indicated issue date for your check to arrive via mail.
If your area’s issue date has passed and you still haven’t received your payment — you should proceed to the next step.
2. Use the Property Tax Credit Lookup Tool
For a more personalized status update, the NYSDTF offers the Property Tax Credit Lookup.
This tool requires personal verification details (such as your prior-year state income tax return information) and will display:
- The check issue date for your specific property.
- The amount of the credit.
- The credit year.
This is the most definitive way to confirm that your check has been processed and mailed.
Important Considerations for Delays
If you haven’t received your check, consider these common reasons:
- You Receive the Exemption: Homeowners who have continuously received the STAR benefit — since 2015 or earlier may still be on the STAR Exemption program. This is a reduction on your school tax bill — meaning you will not receive a separate check. Check your tax bill first!
- Registration Issues: Your registration may be incomplete, or the state may have sent a letter requesting income verification (especially for Enhanced STAR recipients). Use the Homeowner Benefit Portal on the NYSDTF website to review and update your registration details.
- Mailing Address: Ensure the NYSDTF has your current mailing address on file via the Homeowner Benefit Portal.