If you’re waiting for a NY stimulus check for 2023 or 2024, there are a number of programs you should know about. The STAR program is one such program through which you can receive a stimulus check.

You may also qualify for the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit, Empire State Child Tax Credit, or Child and Dependent Care Tax Credits, which can lower your tax liability and help you get a larger tax refund.

Is There a New York State Stimulus Check in 2024?

If you qualify for the state’s School Tax Relief (STAR) program, you may receive a stimulus payment in 2024. The program offers either an exemption (which is a reduction on your school tax bill) or a credit (where your benefit is issued to you via a paper check). If you qualify for an exemption, you can still switch to a check if you prefer to receive a check instead.

If you qualified for but did not receive the Economic Impact Payments, you may still be able to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit in 2024 if you file your 2020 tax returns by the deadline of May 17, 2024.

New York Stimulus Check 2023

If you qualified for the STAR stimulus program, you may have received a stimulus check in 2023 in NY. Neither the New York state nor the U.S. federal governments had issued any other direct or indirect stimulus payments in 2023.

You can also take advantage of a number of tax credits when you file your income tax return for the year 2023. Here’s a list of all available tax credits:

How Do New York Stimulus Checks Work?

The STAR program offers eligible New York State homeowners financial benefits in the form of property tax relief. If you’re enrolled in the program and are eligible, you can receive the benefit in one of two ways each year:

  • STAR Exemption: If you’ve been registered and received the STAR exemption benefit, you’ll receive a reduction on your school tax bill–the majority of property taxes in most municipalities go to fund public schools in the area. You can continue to receive the exemption for the same primary residence as long as you’re eligible. However, if you’re a new homeowner, you can only get the STAR credit.
  • STAR Credit: If you’re registered for STAR credit, you’ll receive a benefit through direct deposit or paper check if you meet the eligibility requirements. You can use the direct dollar benefit amount to pay your school taxes.

Whether you receive the credit or exemption, there are two types of benefits- Basic STAR and Enhanced STAR. Basic STAR benefits are available for owner-occupied primary residences that meet the income limits.

Enhanced STAR benefits offer an increased benefit for primary residences of senior citizens who meet the income limits.

Who Is Eligible for New York’s Stimulus Checks?

You may be able to get a stimulus check for 2023 in NY if you meet the qualification criteria for the STAR program.

Basic STAR benefits:

  • You must own and regularly maintain a primary residence in New York State. If you spend more than 50% of your time in a particular home, it is considered your primary residence for tax purposes.
  • Your household income shouldn’t exceed $500,000 for the STAR credit and $250,000 for the STAR exemption.

Enhanced STAR benefit:

  • You must be 65 years or older.
  • You must own and regularly maintain a primary residence in New York State.  If you spend more than 50% of your time in a particular home, it is considered your primary residence for tax purposes.
  • For 2024 benefits, your household income shouldn’t exceed $98,700.

“The types of property that are eligible to receive benefits under the STAR program are single-family houses, condominiums, cooperative apartments, manufactured homes (aka, mobile homes), farmhouses, and mixed-use properties including apartment buildings (only the owner-occupied portion),” explains Brad Reichert, founder and managing director of Reichert Asset Management LLC.

“A married couple can receive only one STAR benefit, regardless of how many properties they own, unless they are legally separated,” he adds.

How Much Do You Receive and When?

The amount of STAR credit you receive can be different from the STAR exemption savings since the credit increases by approximately 2% each year. The benefit amount you qualify for will depend on the type of property you own and the school district you live in.

For example, for eligible individuals living in New York City, the Basic STAR credit you receive can be $284.33, while Enhanced STAR credit can be $702 for the year 2023.

STAR rebate checks 2023 schedule can vary based on the municipality in which you live. The best way to find the most recent stimulus update for delivery in your area is to use the STAR Credit Delivery Schedule.

Choose the county you live in, select your town, and select the school district to determine your delivery date. The lookup shows the date the government will begin to mail the credit. It can take up to ten business days to receive a paper check.

How To Track the Status of New York’s Stimulus Checks

If you’ve determined that you’re eligible for your NY stimulus check and have checked the delivery schedule for your location, expect the payment to reach you in ten business days from the day it is scheduled to be sent out.

You can also view information about the credit issued to you, such as description, credit year, property address, check issue date, amount, and property key, using Property Tax Credit Lookup.

How To Apply for New York’s Stimulus Checks 

If you’re a new homeowner and aren’t receiving STAR exemptions or credits, you can register for the program online. Once you’re registered for the program, you’ll receive the credit or exemption automatically each year.

You’ll need to have the following information on hand when you apply:

  • Names of all property owners and their spouses
  • Social Security numbers of all property owners and their spouses
  • School district where your home is located
  • The date you purchased the property and the name of the seller
  • Address of any residential property you own in another state
  • Recent school tax bill
  • State or federal income tax returns for all owners
  • The legal name of the trust, when applicable

What To Do if You Did Not Receive Your Stimulus Check?

If you were expecting to receive your stimulus check and haven’t received a check or direct deposit in your bank account, check your property tax bill to see if you received a STAR exemption instead.

Use the Property Tax Credit Lookup to check if the credit has already been issued to you. You should also check your banking information to ensure it’s correct if you’re enrolled in the STAR Credit Direct Deposit program.

You can also call the Tax Department’s dedicated STAR helpline at 518-457-2036 (8:30 AM to 4:30 PM).

Get Your New York Stimulus Check

If you own and live in a primary residence in New York State, you may qualify for the STAR program. Register for the program online to start receiving your exemption or credit through direct deposit or paper check.

If you’re a qualifying taxpayer, there are a number of tax credits you can qualify for in the state. While tax credits won’t always come to you directly in the form of a paper check, they can lower your taxes payable and/or bump up your refund amount if you’re due one, which can help if you’re facing financial hardship. NY residents awaiting stimulus checks can explore the STAR program for tax credits and reduce taxable income. Learn more about your eligibility.