There were some significant changes made to the STAR program in the state’s 2019-2020 budget. In many cases, these changes resulted in a reduced STAR benefit for BH-BL residents or a change in the way those benefits were received. This change has caused some confusion with year-to-year changes in residents’ final school tax bills.
For reference, below is a listing of annual changes to BH-BL’s school tax rates.
The changes to the tax rates (above) are the actual numbers submitted to the tax collector and the district’s town assessors. The figures accurately reflect the changes to the taxpayers’ overall school tax rates for each of the past six years. They do not take into account any increases or decreases that New York state may have made to the STAR program during that time, changes over which the school district has no control. Changes made by the state to the STAR program will result in changes to a resident’s final tax bill (the amount due after application of STAR and other reductions and/or exemptions) that may not match the percent changes listed above.
Detailed information about the state’s changes to the STAR program are available on the Taxation & Finance website.
If you have any questions regarding your STAR exemption please contact the New York State Taxation and Finance STAR division at 518-457-2036, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Residents seeking information about their current school tax bill (NOT related to the STAR exemption) may contact the district via email at taxoffice@bhbl.org or by phone at (518) 399-9141, ext. 85027 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m Monday through Friday. Additionally, residents may also use the tax bill lookup feature.