MILLIONS of Americans are about to see extra cash land in their mailboxes as new stimulus-style checks roll out worth as much as $1,500.
The fresh round of payments is tied to New York’s long-running School Tax Relief (STAR) program, designed to ease the strain of property taxes for homeowners.
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Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed the latest round of checks will begin arriving next week, with deliveries continuing through summer and early fall.
Nearly three million New Yorkers are expected to share in $2.2 billion worth of tax relief this year alone.
The STAR program has been in place since 1997, offering relief to families and seniors struggling with steep school tax bills.
Instead of cutting taxes directly, the state sends out checks or credits covering part of the amount homeowners owe to fund public education.
For most homeowners earning under $500,000, the STAR payment will range from $350 to $600.
Seniors with incomes below $107,300 qualify for the Enhanced STAR benefit, which pays between $700 and $1,500.
Some households have already received their STAR savings this year as a tax exemption rather than a mailed check.
But the bulk of recipients will get their money as credits, either by paper check or through direct deposit if enrolled online.
“Summer is here – and it’s also the start of STAR tax relief season for millions of New Yorkers,” Hochul said.
Officials say anyone new to homeownership or not currently signed up should head to the state tax department’s website to check eligibility.
Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller said: “The STAR program delivers welcome tax relief, and we want every eligible homeowner to take advantage of it.”
Payments are being distributed in phases depending on local school tax deadlines, meaning some counties will see money arrive earlier than others.
Residents of New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, where bills are due in July, have already started receiving their STAR checks.
Elsewhere, distributions will roll out steadily across August, September, and into the fall.
STAR Checks by Region
Total Relief: $2.2 billion for 2.83 million New Yorkers
- Long Island: $698.4M – 582,000 recipients
- Mid-Hudson: $488.5M – 404,000 recipients
- New York City: $158.6M – 483,000 recipients
- Finger Lakes: $205.2M – 279,000 recipients
- Western NY: $178.5M – 320,000 recipients
- Capital District: $144.5M – 242,000 recipients
- Central NY: $131.1M – 176,000 recipients
- Southern Tier: $109.6M – 156,000 recipients
- Mohawk Valley: $66.3M – 101,000 recipients
- North Country: $47.2M – 88,000 recipients
Long Island will see the biggest share, with $698 million going to more than half a million homeowners.
The Hudson Valley region will receive nearly $489 million, while upstate areas such as the Finger Lakes, Western New York, and Central New York will share hundreds of millions more.
Checks for the Capital District total about $145 million for 242,000 recipients, and New York City’s cut is $158 million for nearly half a million households.
Homeowners can track their STAR credit delivery or sign up for direct deposit using the state’s online portal.
The direct deposit option ensures future payments hit bank accounts faster, though those who enroll late this year may still get paper checks first.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said the program shows New York’s commitment to working families at a time when Washington is scaling back.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie added that the checks will help families cover everyday costs and keep more money in their pockets.
The Hochul administration has stressed the checks are automatic for those already registered, with no need to reapply unless ownership or residency has changed.
The initiative comes as inflation continues to weigh on households, making the relief a critical boost for middle-class homeowners and seniors.
