Riverhead - Angie Carpenter, Suffolk County Treasurer, advises residents that New York State's School Tax Relief (STAR) program exemptions applications are due to your local tax assessor by March 1 each year.

The program offers eligible homeowners with valuable school tax savings. Basic STAR is available to all New Yorkers who own and live in their own home, condominium, or cooperative apartment whose combined total adjusted gross income does not exceed $500,000, regardless of age.

Enhanced STAR is available to senior citizen property owners whose combined total adjusted gross income is under $79,050 and who will be age 65 or older by December 31, 2012. If the property is owned by both husband and wife, or by siblings, only one of them must be at least 65 years old to qualify for this exemption.

A resident who moved to a new house and had the STAR exemption at their previous address needs to file a new application. The STAR exemption is not transferred to a new address.

Contact your local tax assessor's office for the proper applications and Requirements, or call 631-852-1500.