02/10/2026 Assessment Community Weekly
It’s getting easier to qualify for STAR!
At the request of the assessment community, we created a new webpage outlining changes to the STAR program, beginning in 2026. Visit It's getting easier to qualify for STAR.
A printable handout is also available.
You may also contact the Assessor and County Director Hotline by phone at 518-457-9053 or via email at Assessor.hotline@tax.ny.gov for additional assistance. Please remember, assessor hotline resources are for assessors and county directors and should not be shared with taxpayers.
IVP Tool will be shut down
We will shut down the IVP Tool beginning Friday, 2/13/2026.
The 2025-2026 State Budget authorized ORPTS to upgrade senior homeowners to the Enhanced STAR exemption when they become eligible. As a result, they no longer need to apply with their assessor to receive the Enhanced STAR exemption. We will automatically notify you of changes to STAR eligibility.
If you need to notify the Tax Department of updates for any of the following changes that will impact owners’ STAR benefits, contact the Assessor and County Director Hotline via email at Assessor.hotline@tax.ny.gov or by phone at 518-457-9053:
- parcel splits and merges
- deceased property owners
- owners that reside in nursing homes whose properties are otherwise eligible for the STAR exemption
- other related STAR eligibility changes you become aware of
Please remember, assessor hotline resources are for assessors and county directors and should not be shared with taxpayers.
466-a exemption form and instructions update now available
We have updated Form RP-466-a-vol, Application for Volunteer Firefighters/Ambulance Workers and Their Surviving Spouse Exemption to reflect eligibility changes from the 2025 legislative session.
Assessor Manual and RPS updates are in process. We will update you as those become available.
Reminder: Deadline approaching to submit your LOA for early determination
Do you think your level of assessment (LOA) should be accepted as the 2026 equalization rate and residential assessment ratio (RAR) for your municipality?
If your stated LOA is within 5% of both your major type A (residential) ratio and your overall ratio, you should consider submitting your LOA early so it can potentially be issued as the RAR. In that case it will likely also become your equalization rate; however, we can’t confirm your LOA as the equalization rate until after your municipality’s tentative roll has been submitted and processed.
If you believe you qualify and your tentative roll date is May 1, please plan to submit your 2026 LOA to your ORPTS customer service team by Friday, February 20.
RPS Online Update
We’re excited to announce that we’ve begun the conversion process with Schuyler and Seneca Counties. We held an implementation kickoff meeting with both counties on January 14, and we expect both counties to be using RPS Online by the end of February.
As we plan additional RPS Online conversions, we’re prioritizing conversions based on several criteria, including willingness to convert as a county, data readiness, and regional distribution.
We’ve identified tentative county conversions for the remainder of 2026, and we’ll be reaching out to the impacted counties and municipalities in the near future.
If you have questions or comments, please email rpsonline@tax.ny.gov.
Reminder: New STAR in-person income reporting events
Impacted STAR exemption recipients across the state can attend an in-person income reporting event in the coming weeks. To find out when and where, view the schedule on our website.
At these events, Tax Department employees will help homeowners submit their income information and answer any other questions about the STAR program.
Homeowners may also submit their income information using the Homeowner Benefit Portal, our STAR Income Worksheet, or by contacting us at 518-457-2036.
If you are contacted by a property owner about the RP-5300-WSC or one of these events, please direct them to our STAR Resource Center featuring our new Respond to a STAR letter page.
You may also contact the Assessor and County Director Hotline by phone at 518-457-9053 or via email at Assessor.hotline@tax.ny.gov for additional assistance. Please remember, assessor hotline resources are for assessors and county directors and should not be shared with taxpayers.
If you are an Assessor or County Director and wish to advertise one of our events in your office, contact real.property@tax.ny.gov and we will provide you with a poster and handout.