The Senior Citizens exemption (different from Enhanced STAR) can reduce your bill by up to 50%. It's adopted locally, so income limits vary by town. Stack it with Enhanced STAR for potentially $3,000-$8,000/yr in savings.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | At least 65 years old by December 31 of the year before the benefit year |
| Ownership | 12 consecutive months of ownership before filing (statutory exceptions for spouse transfer, etc.) |
| Residency | Must be primary residence |
| Income limit (full 50% benefit) | Set locally between $3,000 and $50,000 — check with your town assessor |
| Income limit (20% benefit — sliding scale) | $55,700 |
| Income limit (10% benefit) | $57,500 |
| Income limit (5% benefit) | $58,400 |
NY State law lets each municipality choose how generous the senior exemption is. There are three options:
The exemption reduces taxable assessed value by the chosen percentage — affecting county, town, AND school tax components.
NY State publishes forms at tax.ny.gov/pit/property/exemption/seniorexempt.htm.
Yes. Separate programs with separate eligibility. If you qualify for both, you receive both.
For the Senior exemption, all income (Social Security, pensions, dividends, rental, IRA distributions). This is different from Enhanced STAR, which excludes taxable IRA distributions.
You're eligible for the benefit year following the year you turn 65 (as of December 31 of the prior year). So if you turn 65 in March 2026, file by March 2027 for the 2027-28 benefit year.
You'd miss the 50% exemption, but if your town adopted the sliding scale, you'd get a 20% exemption (income below $55,700), 10% (below $57,500), or 5% (below $58,400).
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Estimates and educational content only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify with your county or town receiver, an attorney, or a CPA before making financial decisions.