The state Department of Taxation and Finance is mailing STAR registration letters to approximately 320,000 homeowners in 19 North Country and Eastern Region counties.

The mass outreach is part of a statewide campaign that will reach 2.6 million homeowners across New York.

The registration facilitates Governor Cuomo’s 2013-14 Budget initiative to eliminate inappropriate STAR property tax exemptions.

Homeowners must register by Dec. 31, 2013 or forfeit the exemption.

From Sept. 3 to 6, the department will send letters to homeowners receiving the Basic STAR exemption in many counties, including St. Lawrence.

The STAR exemption is only available on a homeowner’s primary residence – though an investigation by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance showed some homeowners were claiming the exemption on more than one property.

“More than 185,000 New Yorkers have registered for their Basic STAR exemptions in only two weeks,” Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Thomas H. Mattox said. “The registration is fast, easy and secure, and will take most New Yorkers only two to four minutes.”

The STAR exemption is available for owner-occupied, primary residences where the combined income of resident owners and their spouses is $500,000 or less.

Married couples with multiple residences are only eligible to receive one STAR exemption.

Senior Citizens Receiving Enhanced STAR Not Impacted The registration applies only to Basic STAR recipients. Senior citizens receiving the Enhanced STAR exemption are not affected by the registration. In order to continue receiving Enhanced STAR, seniors must continue to apply annually or participate in the Income Verification Program. Easy Registration Online or by Phone The Tax Department will mail letters to all 2.6 million Basic STAR recipients by early October.

The letter includes registration instructions for the Department’s easy, fast, and secure online application.

It also provides homeowners with a telephone number for registration or

questions – 518-457-2036. STAR Registration applies to Basic STAR exemptions for 2014 and beyond; it doesn’t impact 2013 exemptions.

Homeowners will not have to re-register every year – based on the information provided in the registration process, the Tax Department will monitor homeowners’ eligibility in future years.

Register online at www.tax.ny.gov or call 518-457-2036 to register by phone.