02/17/2026 Assessment Community Weekly
Reminder: IVP Tool has been shut down
We shut down the IVP Tool on 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.
In case you missed it: It’s getting easier to qualify for STAR handout now available
Last week, we announced the new It’s getting easier to qualify for STAR webpage.
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.
Final 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.
STAR in-person income reporting events coming to an end
This week will be our last in-person income reporting event for impacted 2026 STAR exemption recipients across the state.
At these events, Tax Department employees answered questions about the STAR program, and helped homeowners submit their income information and update their registrations.
If you are contacted by a property owner about the RP-5300-WSC please direct them to our STAR Resource Center featuring our new Respond to a STAR letter page.
Homeowners may continue to submit their income information using the Homeowner Benefit Portal, our STAR Income Worksheet, or by contacting us at 518-457-2036.
A huge thank you to all who helped promote these events for the past two months. We hope to host similar events in the future to better serve NYS homeowners.
Judicial Cases
New Judicial cases:
- Matter of Cuba Lake Comm. for Fair Assessments v Town of Cuba
- Matter of Yeung v Assessor of the Vil. of Great Neck Estates